Question

How to obtain methanol from carbon monoxide using one of the five chemicals: H2, H2O, C2H4, C2H5OH, or CH4?

It's a question from a Russian chemical test. I tried googling and failed to find the suitable chemical. There are five on the list:

It turns out that `H_2` does the trick. I failed to check this option. Silly me. Now I wonder how exactly this reaction happens (the mechanism).

Answer 1

That's a fairly common commercial reaction in real life.

Explanation:

"Syngas" (synthesis gas) is a mix of `H_2` and `CO` often made from heavy organic residues left after petroleum refining. It is then used to make methanol.