OXIDATIVE CONVERSION OF METHANE ON CHROMIUM-OXIDE CLUSTERS PREPARED BY CHEMICAL-VAPOR-DEPOSITION ON AEROSIL

The reaction of CH4 with O-2 at 400 - 650 degrees C on chromium oxide ''clusters'' anchored on aerosil results solely in complete oxidation, whereas the interaction of CH4 with N2O under the same conditions lea ds to the formation of ethane. The catalytic activities of systems stu died in the reactions CH4 + O-2 and CH4 + N2O are nearly the same and are proportional to the chromium content (C-Cr). The activity substant ially exceeds that of vanadium oxide ''clusters'' prepared by the same method. The selectivity of ethane formation decreases with increasing C-Cr. The regularities found are explained on the basis of mechanisms proposed for methane interaction with O-2 and N2O.