Partial oxidation of methane to methanol in liquid phase by V2O5 catalyst

The partial oxidation of methane over the V2O5 catalyst in oleum was studied. The effects of reaction temperature, V2O5 content and reaction time on the methane conversion and methanol yield were investigated. The reaction mechanism was also discussed. It was found that methane was first transformed into methyl bisulfate which was then hydrolyzed into methanol. The process of the partial oxidation of methane catalyzed by V2O5 involved in the electrophilic alternative mechanism, and the sulfur trioxide in oleum was necessary for the reaction system. Among the catalysts tested, V2O5 showed higher activity and selectivity. The maximum methanol yield of 45.5% and methane conversion of 54.5% were obtained under the conditions of n (V2O5) = 0. 0245 mol, theta = 180 degrees C, p = 4.0 Mpa and t = 2 h when the content of sulfur trioxide in oleum was about 50%.