Question

Carbon monoxide may be hydrogenated to produce what?

(a) Hydrocarbon

(b) Alcohols

(c) Both hydrocarbon and alcohols

(d) None of the mentioned

The question was posed to me in a job interview.

This interesting question is from Industrial Processes-I in section Hydrogenation of Unit Processes

Answer 1

Right option is (c) Both hydrocarbon and alcohols

The best I can explain: Carbon monoxide may be hydrogenated to produce either alcohols or hydrocarbons, depending on the catalysts used and the reaction conditions. Temperatures ranging from 100–400°C and pressures as high as 1,000 atm.