On the junction effect theory of activity in methanol synthesis catalysts

The junction effect theory which has been propounded to account for the activity in methanol synthesis of oxide supported copper catalysts has been examined in the light of published data on the mechanism of methanol synthesis on copper/zinc oxide/alumina catalysts. The absence of a formate species on the surface of the zinc oxide component of the catalyst after methanol synthesis (the formate species has been shown to be the pivotal intermediate in methanol synthesis on zinc oxide) precludes its involvement in the reaction and negates the applicability of the theory to the copper/zinc oxide/alumina system.