The catalyzed conversion of methane to methanol at high pressure

The direct conversion of methane to methanol has recently been reviewed by three independent studies. The process has also been economically evaluated relative to the conventional methanol process and shown to be preferred at CH{sub 3}OH selectivities greater than about 75% with conversion as low as 4%. During a study of the catalytic reaction we found higher selectivities to methanol under noncatalytic conditions where reactor inertness was achieved by using a glass-lining. It was also observed, as previous workers had found, that natural gas reacted at about 100{degree} below the methane reaction due to the presence of higher hydrocarbons (and presumably weaker C-H bonds). Thus, a study was undertaken to examine the effect of sensitizers on the reaction.