where the hydrocarbon product is re

where the hydrocarbon product is represented by the generic formula (CH2)n.
Fisher-Tropsch reactions produce a wide spectrum of oxygenated compounds,
including alcohols and aliphatic hydrocarbons ranging in carbon
numbers from C1 – C3 (gases) to C35 + (solid waxes). For synthetic fuels the
desired products are olefinic hydrocarbons in the C5 to C10 range (Probstein and
Hicks, 2006, p. 128). The upper end of the range favors a gasoline product.
Although iron-based catalysts are most favored, cobalt- and nickel-based catalysts
have also been used with varying selectivity