Abstract: A method for converting methane by an oxidative coupling reaction to longer chain hydrocarbons comprising cofeeding methane and oxygen simultaneously and continuously into a reaction zone to form a mixture, contacting said methane and oxygen mixture under oxidative coupling reaction conditions with a solid catalyst consisting essentially of manganese oxide and silicon oxide, promoted with an alkaline metal and non metal, to form longer chain hydrocarbons wherein the manganese, silicon oxide, alkali metal and non metal are present in a molar ratio 0-0.5:93.2-93.7:4.2:2.1.

Abstract: An improved method for the oxidative conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons in which methane and oxygen are continuously and simultaneously cofed into a reaction zone under effective oxidative coupling conditions and contacted with a solid catalyst consisting essentially of a catalyst having a composition of empirical formula Ce.sub.a Na.sub.b Ca.sub.100 O.sub.x wherein a is in the range 0.03 to 2.0, b is in the range of 0.7 to 7.0 and oxygen is present in a molar amount sufficient to fulfill the valence requirements of cerium, sodium and calcium.