The partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde by air has been studi
ed using molib-denum oxide-silica catalysts. Above catalysts were test
ed at the of 1 atm pressure in a fixed bed now reactor using mixture w
ith the methane to air ratio 5,4:1 in the temperature range of 623 +/-
1073 K. The high (100%) selectivity to HCHO was observed at very low
conversions. It was found that methane is directly oxidized to both fo
rmaldehyde and carbon dioxide. Then the formaldehyde was oxidized to t
he carbon monoxide.