Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: evidence for chain initiation by ethene and ethanol for an iron catalyst

C-14-labeled ethene, propene and ethanol have been added to the synthesis gas feed to cobalt and iron Fischer - Tropsch catalysts operated in the slurry phase. Oxidation to convert the carbon in the 1-position of alkene products to CO2 was carried out. Results from oxidation of 1-C-14-1-hexene were used to document the suitability of the approach. The C-14 content of CO2 was at or below the detection limit in the Fischer - Tropsch synthesis product, showing for ethene that incorporation by termination could not account for the results. The data are consistent with the added alkene or alcohol serving to initiate chain growth.