A process used for producing hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Named after German chemist Franz Fischer (1852–1932) and (p. 147) Czech Hans Tropsch (1839–1935), the process was invented to produce motor fuel in Germany during the Second World War. The process involves passing the reactants over a nickel or cobalt catalyst at 200°C. The general reaction is:
The resulting complex mixture of hydrocarbons is then separated into various fractions. The process also results in the formation of alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones.