Abstract: A reactor for converting methane, ammonia and oxygen and alkaline or alkaline earth hydroxides into alkaline or alkaline earth cyanides by two-stage reactions comprising a first stage with a gas inlet, wherein the first stage is formed by a cone with distribution plates providing an even gas distribution over the catalyst material wherein the distribution plates are located between the gas inlet of the reactor and catalyst material and the distribution plates being perforated with a number of holes, with the distribution plates spaced from each other in the flow direction of the gas, the first distribution plate(s) functioning mainly to distribute the gas, whereas the last distribution plate works as a heat radiation shield and as a distribution plate facing the catalyst material, and wherein the catalyst material is present in the form of catalyst gauze fixed by catalyst weights.