Methane oxidative coupling on the Au/La2O3/CaO catalyst in the presence of hydrogen peroxide

Methane oxidative coupling in the presence of the catalyst 1% Au/5% La₂O₃/CaO and gas-phase initiator hydrogen peroxide at the temperature 700–800°C under normal pressure has been studied. It has been shown that hydrogen peroxide remarkably increases the yield of C₂₊ products without the loss of selectivity. The maximal yield of C₂₊ products under the conditions studied was 27% with the formation of a noticeable quantity of benzene. It has been proposed, that the observed effect is due to hydroxyl radical formation from hydrogen peroxide, which could be essential under definite conditions also in a conventional catalytic methane oxidative coupling.