Abstract: The invention relates to the following types of composite membranes; composites or composite membranes obtained by adding a metal salt, e.g. from ZrOCl2, to a solvent, especially DMSO, for dissolving one or more polymers in an organic solvent or in aqueous systems, in addition to the subsequent precipitation in the matrix of the thus produced composite-membrane by post-treatment thereof in an acid or in a salt solution, especially phosphoric acid. The invention also relates to composites or composite membranes obtained by subsequent ion exchange of finished polymer membranes with a suitable salt cation, especially ZrO2+, wherein the polymer membrane is, optionally, swollen with an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvent with water prior to the ion exchange and the subsequent precipitation of a low soluble salt, e.g. from Zr3(PO4)4, in the membrane by post-treatment thereof in an acid or in a salt solution, especially phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A gas-phase process is provided for catalytic conversion of a lower alkane comprising at most 5 carbon atoms to at least one produce selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes and mixtures thereof. The process comprises bringing said lower alkane into contact with an oxidising agent in the presence of a catalyst comprising at least one platinum complex. The invention also provides such catalyst for use in the process. The catalyst comprises a platinum complex having a platinum cation core. It has two ligands selected from amino ligands, hydroxyl ligands and immidazolyl ligands whereby the complex is bonded chemically to a metal oxide support. It also has four other ligands selected from hydroxyl ligands, chloro ligands and amino ligands.

Abstract: The invention relates to the following types of composite membranes; composites or composite membranes obtained by adding a metal salt, e.g. from ZrOCl2, to a solvent, especially DMSO, for dissolving one or more polymers in an organic solvent or in aqueous systems, in addition to the subsequent precipitation in the matrix of the thus produced composite-membrane by post-treatment thereof in an acid or in a salt solution, especially phosphoric acid. The invention also relates to composites or composite membranes obtained by subsequent ion exchange of finished polymer membranes with a suitable salt cation, especially ZrO2+, wherein the polymer membrane is, optionally, swollen with an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvent with water prior to the ion exchange and the subsequent precipitation of a low soluble salt, e.g. from Zr3 (PO4)4, in the membrane by post-treatment thereof in an acid or in a salt solution, especially phosphoric acid.