Catalytic conversion of methane in molten salt under mild conditions

At 160 degreesC, Co(II) trifluoroacetate and Cu (II) trifluoroacetate were found to be active catalysts for methane selective oxidation to mixture of methyl trifluoroacetate and acetone in AgNO3 - KNO3 molten salt medium. Met hane could be exclusively converted into acetone over the catalyst of Ce(SO 4)(2) or CeO2. The results show that both cation and anion play an importan t role in the process of methane conversion. Methane chlorination conducted in AlCl3 - NaCl molten salt modified with small amounts of other copper - or silver containing compounds such as CuCl2 and Ag2SO4 catalysts or promot ers was also investigated. It was found that methane could be converted to CH3Cl with high selectivity in AlCl3 - NaCl molten salt.