ABSTRACT
Conversion of lower alkanes (ethane, propane, and butanes) to organic compounds of industrial importance is a daunting task. This is due to the poor reactivity of the C-H bond. Furthermore, the industrially important product(s) is usually more reactive than the alkane itself. Selective catalytic oxidation using oxygen is one of the simplest ways of converting alkanes, especially the lower alkanes, into useful intermediates of the petrochemical industry. Since it is selective under normal conditions and in the presence of air, thermodynamics suggests that undesirable CO2 is the only stable compound formed; though at higher temperatures CO, which is also undesirable, is also stable [1]. Consequently, all organic materials in the presence of air are only metastable intermediates to carbon oxides. The challenge is,
“DK3029_C015” — #2
thus, to obtain significant yields of the desired product or products by controlling the operating conditions and catalyst. Of these different factors, the role of the catalyst is paramount and a proper design of a catalyst will assist in converting alkanes to useful products.
