The assembly of complex molecules from carbon monoxide via C-C bond formation represents a fundamental chemical challenge that has key relevance to the production of hydrocarbon fuels via the heterogeneous Fischer-Tropsch Process. Although employed industrially since 1925, the mechanism for the conversion of mixtures of CO and H2 to short-to-medium chain alkane products through the formation of C-C bonds remains the subject of significant debate. C=C bond formation to yield alkenes represents a competing homologation process, and the product mixture typically also includes oxygenated species along with methane -an undesirable reduction product produced without accompanying C-C bond formation. The idealized ratio of H2:CO (ca. 2:1; eqn 1, typically with 10 < n < 20) reflects the importance of the reductant (H2) in generating the desired alkane products. The much lower proportion of dihydrogen in the coal-derived synthesis gas ('Syn Gas') feedstock is typically rectified through application of the Water Gas Shift reaction. (2n + 1) H2 + n CO ¾¾¾® CnH2n+2 + n H2O (eqn 1)