Abstract: A continuous method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with moving beds of 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.

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: 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: 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: 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: A process for the preparation of .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyric acid by the catalytic oxidation of isobutyric acid with oxygen in an aqueous solution in the presence of a TlCl.sub.3 or TlBr.sub.3 catalyst and a Cu, Sn, or Fe halide compound as a redox agent. Optionally alkali metal halides may be employed to promote catalysis and control the halide concentration.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid by the stoichiometric oxidation of isobutyric acid in aqueous solution at temperatures of from about 50.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. in the presence of a thallic (Tl.sup.+3) salt.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of tin at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of tin is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide SnO.sub.2 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of antimony at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of antimony is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of lead at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of lead is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide PbO is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of indium at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 850.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of indium is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide In.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective solid synthesizing agent.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of manganese at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 1000.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of manganese is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Mn.sub.3 O.sub.4 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of bismuth at a temperature of about 500.degree. to 850.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of bismuth is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 is a particularly effective solid synthesizing agent.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing hydrocarbons from a methane source which comprises contacting methane with an oxide of germanium at a temperature of 500.degree. to 800.degree. C. The oxide is reduced by the contact and coproduct water is formed. A reducible oxide of germanium is regenerated by oxidizing the reduced composition with molecular oxygen. The oxide GeO.sub.2 is a particularly effective synthesizing agent.

Abstract: Hydrogen is diffused through a palladium-containing membrane into an aqueous solution containing ions of a stabilizing nature and containing dissolved oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide. Some water is formed as a by-product. The hydrogen peroxide may be identified and/or recovered from said aqueous solution in an identification zone.

Abstract: In the process of producing polyisocyanates by(a) condensing an alkyl-N-phenylcarbamate having 1 to 3 carbons in the alkyl moiety in the presence of an acid to produce condensate containing diphenylmethane dicarbamates and polymethylene polyphenyl carbamates with by-product N-benzyl compounds, rearranging said N-benzyl compounds in said condensate with acid catalyst to obtain a pyrolysis feed mixture containing diphenylmethane dicarbamates and polymethylene polyphenyl carbamates,(b) thermally decomposing the carbamate moieties in the pyrolysis feed mixture to isocyanate moieties to produce polyisocyanates,the improvement comprises increasing the percent isocyanate content of said polyisocyanates by prior to step b) producing a solution by adding an organic cosolvent to the feed mixture, extracting that solution with an aqueous acid and removing the acid extract.