Abstract: A class of mixed oxide catalysts comprising Mn-containing oxides, alkali metals or compounds thereof, and at least one member of the group consisting of oxides of Zr, mixed oxides of Zr and Si, and mixed oxides of Zr and at least one alkaline earth metal. In the more preferred embodiments, the third component serves as a carrier for the Mn and alkaline metal components. The composition preferably comprises a major amount of the carrier material and minor amounts of the other components. The compositions are useful for hydrocarbon conversion, methane conversion, and oxidative dehydrogenation processes characterized by formation of coproduct water.

Abstract: An improved method for dehydrogenating dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons by contacting a gas comprising said hydrocarbons and an oxidative dehydrogenation agent at dehydrogenation conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting the hydrocarbon with an oxidative dehydrogenation agent containing a promoting amount of alkali metal and/or compounds thereof and associated with a support selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and compounds thereof.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under conditions effective to produce higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement which comprises conducting the contacting in the presence of at least one promoter selected from the group consisting of halogens and compounds thereof.

Abstract: A class of mixed oxide catalysts comprising Mn-containing oxides, alkali metals or compounds thereof, and at least one member of the group consisting of oxides of Si, oxides of alkaline earth metals, and mixed oxides of Si and at least one alkaline earth metal. In the more preferred embodiments, the third component serves as a carrier for the Mn and alkali metal components. The composition preferably comprises a major amount of the carrier material and minor amounts of the other components. The compositions are useful for hydrocarbon coversion, methane conversion, and oxidative dehydrogenation processes characterized by formation of coproduct water.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which includes the steps of contacting a methane with an oxide of a metal which oxide when contacted with methane at between about 500.degree. and 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water, recovering ethylene from the effluent of the contacting and oligomerizing the ethylene to produce higher hydrocarbon products.

Abstract: A continuous method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with particles comprising an oxidative synthesizing agent under synthesis conditions wherein particles recirculate between two physically separate zones: a methane contact zone and an oxygen contact zone. Preferably, particles are maintained in each of the two zones as fluidized beds of solids. Particularly effective oxidative synthesizing agents are reducible oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of Mn, Sn, In, Ge, Pb, Sb, and Bi.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxidative synthesizing agent under elevated pressures, preferably at pressures within the range of about 5 to 30 atmospheres. Particularly effective oxidative synthesizing agents are reducible oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of Mn,Sn,In,Ge,Pb,Sb, and Bi.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane and a reducible metal oxide under synthesis conditions, the improvement which comprises performing the contacting in the presence of oxides of nitrogen. Nitrous oxide is a preferred nitrogen oxide.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane and an oxidative synthesizing agent at synthesizing conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane with a solid comprising a promoting amount of alkali metal and/or compounds thereof, said solid being associated with a support selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metals and compounds thereof. Magnesia is a particularly preferred support.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon product by contacting the methane with a solid which comprises a reducible metal oxide which when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water, the improvement comprising recycling C.sub.2 + alkanes recovered during subsequent processing of the effluent produced by the contacting to the contacting step.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon product by contacting methane with a contact solid which comprises a reducible metal oxide which when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and water; and a promoting amount of at least one halogen component.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon product by contacting methane with a solid which comprises a reducible metal oxide which when contacted with methane at a temperature within the range of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. is reduced and produces higher hydrocarbon products and a promoting amount of at least one chalcogen component. The preferred chalcogen components are selected from a group consisting of sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and compounds thereof.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under synthesis conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane and oxygen with a contact solid which comprises at least one manganese silicate.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a hydrocarbon gas comprising methane, an oxygen-containing gas and a reducible metal oxide under synthesis conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane and oxygen with a contact solid which also contains a promoting amount of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and/or compounds thereof. Sodium is a particularly effective promoter. Stability of the promoted contact agent is enhanced by the presence of minor amounts of phosphorus.

Abstract: A method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting, at conditions to convert said hydrocarbons, at least one reducible oxide of at least one metal, associated with a hydroxylated magnesia support (that is, magnesia derived from magnesium hydroxide or a magnesium-containing component contacted with hydroxyl-containing material), which support is calcined prior to the addition of the reducible oxide.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane and an oxidative synthesizing agent at synthesizing conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane with an oxidative synthesizing agent containing a promoting amount of alkali metal and/or compounds thereof. Sodium is a particularly effective promoter. Stability of the promoted contact agent is enhanced by the presence of phosphorus.

Abstract: An improved method for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon products by contacting a gas comprising methane and an oxidative synthesizing agent under systhesis conditions, the improvement which comprises contacting methane with an oxidative synthesizing agent containing a promoting amount of alkaline earth metal and/or compounds thereof. Magnesium is a particularly effective promoter. Stability of the promoted contact agent is enhanced by the presence of phosphorus.

Abstract: Synthesis of dialkyl oxalates by the oxidative carbonylation of liquid monohydric saturated alcohols of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising palladium or a salt thereof in combination with vanadium in the oxide (V.sub.2 O.sub.5, V.sub.2 O.sub.4, V.sub.2 O.sub.3) form and titanium or a non-hydrolyzable salt thereof, said catalyst being present in a heterogeneous phase.

Abstract: Synthesis of dialkyl oxalates by the heterogeneous catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of liquid monohydric saturated alcohols of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising palladium or a salt thereof in combination with a single phase crystalline vanadium-phosphorus containing compound consisting of vanadium in an oxide form and an oxide of phosphorus.

Abstract: Synthesis of dialkyl oxalates by the heterogeneous catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of liquid monohydric saturated alcohols of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms with carbon monoxide and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalytic amount of a catalyst comprising palladium or a salt thereof in combination with a crystalline vanadium-phosphorus-manganese containing compound.