289.    ---------------. [BONE, W. A.] Formation of Methanol by the Direct Oxidation of Methane.  Nature, vol. 127, 1931, p. 481; Fuel, vol. 10, 1931, pp. 194-195; Chem. Abs., vol. 25, 1931, p. 2968.

                  Studies on the slow combustion of C₂H₆ showed that the initial product was not a peroxide but either EtOH or some less-oxygenated substance.  It has now been found that direct oxidation of CH₄ at 360° and 100 atm. gives MeOH as the initial product.  In mixtures of CH₄ and O₂ in the ratio of 9:1 the action was complete in a few minutes.  About 17% of the CH₄ that was burned was recovered as MeOH, 0.6% as CH₂O, and the remainder as CO, CO₂, and H₂O.  No H₂ was liberated, and not even a trade of peroxide was formed.  The MeOH was identified by conversion into HOC₆ H₄ CO₂ Me and p-No₂C₆H₄CO₂Me and was estimated as the nitrite.