2686.     PICHLER, H., AND REDER, R.  [Formation of Methanol in the Partial Oxidation of Methane and Ethylene Under High Pressure.]  Angew. Chem., vol. 46, 1933, pp. 161-165; Ges. Abhandl. Kenntnis Kohle, vol. 11, 1934, pp. 318-326; Chem. Abs., vol. 27, 1933, p. 2671.

        Yield of MeOH increases with increasing pressure and decreasing O₂ content of the starting products.  With a ratio of CH₄ or C₂H₄:O₂ of 10:1, about 7% of the theoretical yield was obtained.  If the initial O₂ content is below 1%, the partial combustion forms mainly MeOH.  The formation of MeOH was favored by the presence of H₂O vapor and CO₂, but decreased in the presence of metallic catalysts.  Optimum temperatures for the start of the reactions were found for CH₄ but not for C₂H₄.  Apparatus is described for gas reactions at high pressures (400 atm.).  For practical purposes the reaction could be carried out either at very high pressures or by recirculation of the stripped reaction products with low O₂ concentrations, or by a combination of both.  10 literature refs.