THE main components of the Fischer-Tropsch catalysts that are active in the synthesis of normally liquid hydrocarbons from hydrogen and carbon monoxide-namely, iron, cobalt, nickel, and ruthenium-form relatively unstable carbides of nonionic crystal structures upon exposure to carbon monoxide in the temperature range of the synthesis (26). These carbides react with hydrogen below about 350°C. whereby the carbide is quantitatively converted to methane plus a few per cent of ethane (2-4). Above 350°C. there is extensive decomposition of the •carbides to carbon. It probably is significant that the optimum temperature ranges in this synthesis-185°t o 215°C. for cobalt and 240°to 320°C. for iron catalysts-are below 350°C. Re-action of the carbides with dilute acids results in the formation of normally liquid hydrocarbons (2, 2É).The reaction between carbon monoxide and cobalt or iron or their oxides to form carbides is much too slow (9, 10) to account for the rate of synthesis of hydrocarbons when a mixture of hydrogen arid carbon monoxide is used. In some fashion the presence of hydrogen catalyzes carbide production. Wagenheim (51), who studied the catalysis of the reaction 2CO -* C02 + C by iron at 350°to 500°C ., found that the formation of carbon was markedly accelerated when a little hydrogen is mixed with the carbon monoxide. There is some evidence that carbon formation proceeds by way of the metal carbide (14,16,29).