Question

Which of the following is produced during the following reaction?
$CO(g)\quad +\quad H_{ 2 }(g)\quad \xrightarrow [ 575K ]{ ZnO,Cr_{ 2 }O_{ 3 } } $
a.) Ethanol
b.) Ethanal
c.) Methanol
d.) Methanal

Answer 1

Hint: Water gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. This reaction is used in industries for the preparation of the wood spirit. Now try to figure out the correct answer.

Complete step by step answer:
Methanol, also called methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, or wood spirit, the simplest of a long series of organic compounds called alcohols, consisting of a methyl group linked with a hydroxyl group (OH). Methanol was formerly produced by the destructive distillation of wood, hence it is known as wood spirit.
It is prepared on an industrial scale from a mixture of CO and $H_{ 2 }$. The mixture is subjected to 200 atm pressure and passed over ZnO and $Cr_{ 2 }O_{ 3 }$ catalysts at 400 to 450 degrees celsius.
Here we can see the complete reaction involved in this process,

$CO(g)\quad +\quad H_{ 2 }(g)\quad \xrightarrow [ 575K ]{ ZnO,Cr_{ 2 }O_{ 3 } } \quad { CH }_{ 3 }OH$
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Additional Information:
Inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption of methanol can cause significant disturbances in vision, including blindness. Prolonged or repeated contact may cause defatting of the skin.

Note:Here we should also know that Methanol has excellent properties as a polar organic solvent and is widely used as an industrial solvent. Methanol was once under consideration as a commercial motor fuel because it is cheaper than ethanol and can be made from natural gas and coal resources.