Abstract: Alcohols, ethers, and olefins are manufactured from alkanes by mixing an alkane and bromine in a reactor to form alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide. The alkyl bromide is directed into contact with metal oxide to form an alcohol and/or an ether, or an olefin and metal bromide. The metal bromide from the alkyl bromide metal oxide reaction is oxidized to form original metal oxide and bromine, both of which are recycled. The hydrogen bromide is separately directed into contact with metal oxide to form water and metal bromide. The metal bromide from the hydrogen bromide metal oxide is oxidized to form the original metal oxide which is recycled.