Abstract: A process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol to form formaldehyde using silver crystals as catalyst which silver crystals are supported on a screen formed of an alloy containing at least 20 weight percent gold and the remainder silver is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for converting methanol to formaldehyde wherein methanol along with a stream containing air, water, methanol and formaldehyde is fed to a primary reactor 5 containing a silver catalyst maintained at from 630.degree. to 650.degree. C. The effluent from the primary reactor 5 is cooled and fed along with a stream containing air, water, methanol and formaldehyde to a secondary reactor 9 containing a metal oxide catalyst, such as iron oxide-molybdenum oxide. The secondary reactor 9 is maintained at from 325.degree. to 400.degree. C. The product from the secondary reactor is fed to an absorber 11 which is cross connected top and bottom with a stripper 13. Water is fed to the absorber to absorb formaldehyde and the product solution of formaldehyde and water is removed from the absorber. Air is fed to the stripper and the effluent from the stripper which contains air, water, methanol and formaldehyde is fed to both the primary reactor 5 and the secondary reactor 9.