Seclective methane oxidation to organic derivatives

Three methods of methane conversion into oxidants, excluding the stage of obtaining the synthesis gas, are known: partial catalytic oxidation over the heterogeneous catalysts, non-catalytic process of oxidation under pressure and methane esterification combined with hydrolysis. When taking into consideration the results of the studies on methane partial oxidation which have been conducted over a number of years, the last method seems to be the most promising one. The obtained ratio of methane conversion into methanol as the final product, comprises nearly 100% when the process is run in oleum, and platinum chloride (IV) acts as the catalyst.