The role of C2 intermediates in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over ruthenium

The C₂ products formed over Ru during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis often lie well below the Anderson-Schulz-Flory line describing the C₄₊ products. This has led to speculation that either the surface precursor to C₂ hydrocarbons is exceptionally long lived, or that the ethylene formed by CO hydrogenation readsorbs and thereby reenters the chain growth process. In this study, the role of ethylene readsorption on the dynamics of chain initiation and growth is investigated using¹³CO/H₂ and¹²C₂H₄ to differentiate between the carbon sources. Ethylene addition is found to suppress the rate of methanation and increase the rates of formation of C₃₊ hydrocarbons. Ethylene serves as an effective chain initiator, as well as a source of C₁ monomer species which participate in chain propagation. No evidence is seen, though, for the participation of C₂ species in chain propagation.