406. ------. [COMPAGNIE DE BÉTHUNE ] [Higher Hydrocarbons From Methane.] French Patent 613,542, July 27, 1925. British Chem. Abs., 1928, B. p. 116.

Patent Abstracts

CH₄ or a gas containing it is heated at 200º-600º C. under pressure with a catalyst such as ferric oxide, mixtures of metallic oxides, or the corresponding metals obtained by reduction of the oxides. Liquid hydrocarbons are obtained, the greater part of the product distilling 38º-100º C. Butane and ethane also are produced. The CH₄ used need not be pure, the presence of H₂, O₂ or other gases appearing favorable to the reaction.