Mixed oxides of SbV as catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane

Abstract

Novel perovskite-type oxides containing Sb^V have been shown to catalyse the oxidative coupling of methane to ethane and ethene. Ba₂Sb(La_0.5Bi_0.5)O₆ gives a yield of 18.1 % at an operating temperature of 700 °C. Compounds containing alkali-metal cations (Ba₄SbTa₂LiO₁₂) give comparable yields (16.2%) at slightly lower operating temperatures (650 °C). Analogous compounds of Ru^V are less active.