Partial oxidation of light alkanes by NOx in the gas phase

Partial oxidations of CH₄, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, and iso-C₄H₁₀ with O₂ were promoted by addition of NO in the gas phase. The addition of NO increased the conversion rate of alkanes and decreased the initiation temperatures for the reactions. Moreover, selectivities and yields to oxygenates, aldehydes, ketones and alcohols, were remarkably improved by the addition of NO. The maxima of one-pass yields of oxygenates were 7% for CH₄, 11% for C₂H₆, 13% for C₃H₈, and 29% for iso-C₄H₁₀. It is suggested that NO₂ produced from NO and O₂ is the initiator for the oxidation of light alkanes. Alkyl nitrite was proposed as the reaction intermediate for the formation of oxygenates. The alkyl nitrite decomposes into oxygenates and NO that works as catalyst for the activation of O₂ and the oxidation of alkanes.