Abstract: Acetic acid or derivatives such as methyl acetate and acetyl sulfate, are produced from methane by contacting a methane-containing feed with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a palladium-containing catalyst and an acid selected from concentrated sulfuric acid and fuming sulfuric acid. The process is carried out using an oxygen partial pressure of from about 30 to about 300 psi and most preferably from about 60 to about 200 psi, a methane partial pressure of from about 100 to about 1000 psi, and most preferably from about 100 to about 400 psi, and a total pressure of oxygen and methane of from about 130 to about 1300 psi, preferably from about 200 to about 600 psi. The process is carried out in the absence of a catalyst promoter.

Abstract: Acetic acid is produced by oxidation of methane with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an acid selected from concentrated sulfuric acid and fuming sulfuric acid, a palladium-containing catalyst and a promoter, preferably a copper or iron salt. The addition of a promoter and O2 to a system that includes a palladium-containing catalyst such as PdCl2 increases the rate of acetic acid formation from methane by more than an order of magnitude as compared with prior art and, in addition, inhibits the precipitation of Pd black.

Abstract: Acetyl anhydrides such as acetyl sulfate are produced by a process for comprising contacting methane and carbon dioxide in an anhydrous environment in the presence of effective amounts of a transition metal catalyst and a reaction promoter, and an acid anhydride compound, and optionally an acid. The acetyl anhydride can be contacted with water to produce acetic acid or with an alcohol to produce a product comprising an acetate ester and that may also comprise acetic acid. Optionally, water in stoichiometric amounts or less, with respect to the acetic anhydride, may be fed to a continuous process of this type to produce some acetic acid in situ.

Abstract: Acetyl anhydrides such as acetyl sulfate are produced by a process for comprising contacting methane and carbon dioxide in an anhydrous environment in the presence of effective amounts of a transition metal catalyst and a reaction promoter, and an acid anhydride compound, and optionally an acid. The acetyl anhydride can be contacted with water to produce acetic acid or with an alcohol to produce a product comprising an acetate ester and that may also comprise acetic acid.