The Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalytic reaction that converts a mixture of hydrogen H2 and carbon monoxide CO into liquid hydrocarbons and other valuable chemicals. The reaction takes place on the surface of a metal catalyst, such as platinum. The mechanism of the reaction can be described in several steps:1. Adsorption: The hydrogen and carbon monoxide molecules adsorb onto the surface of the platinum catalyst. This means that the molecules form weak bonds with the surface, which helps to stabilize them and bring them closer together.2. Activation: The adsorbed hydrogen molecules dissociate into individual hydrogen atoms on the platinum surface. This is an important step because it makes the hydrogen atoms more reactive and available for the subsequent reaction steps.3. Formation of the metal carbonyl intermediate: The adsorbed carbon monoxide molecule reacts with one of the hydrogen atoms on the platinum surface to form a metal carbonyl intermediate. This intermediate is a complex that contains a platinum atom, a carbon atom, and an oxygen atom, with the carbon and oxygen atoms bonded together.4. Hydrogenation: The metal carbonyl intermediate reacts with another hydrogen atom on the platinum surface, leading to the formation of a hydroxyl group OH and a metal-carbon bond. This step is known as hydrogenation because it involves the addition of hydrogen to the carbon atom.5. Chain growth: The hydroxyl group reacts with another adsorbed carbon monoxide molecule, forming a new metal carbonyl intermediate with an additional carbon atom. This step can be repeated multiple times, leading to the formation of a hydrocarbon chain with a varying number of carbon atoms.6. Desorption: The hydrocarbon chain eventually desorbs from the platinum surface, releasing the final product into the gas phase. This step marks the end of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction on the platinum surface.The overall mechanism of the Fischer-Tropsch process on a platinum surface involves a series of adsorption, activation, and reaction steps that lead to the formation of hydrocarbon chains from hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The process is highly dependent on the properties of the catalyst, as well as the reaction conditions such as temperature and pressure.