1987. LANCE, D., AND ELWORTHY, E. G. Formaldehyde, Formic Acid, and Methanol From Methane. British Patent 352,687, Mar. 24, 1905. Chem. Abs., vol. 1, 1907, p. 380.

PATENTS

1987. LANCE, D., AND ELWORTHY, E. G. Formaldehyde, Formic Acid, and Methanol From Methane. British Patent 352,687, Mar. 24, 1905. Chem. Abs., vol. 1, 1907, p. 380.

Process of manufacturing formaldehyde, formic acid, MeOH, and other derivatives, consisting in oxidizing CH₄ with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ferrous sulfate, CH₄+H₂O₂=CH₃OH+H₂O, or also by persulfuric acid obtained by subjecting a sulfuric acid of 1.35-1.50 to an electric current of 500 amp. to the square decimeter. There is formed persulfuric acid, H₂S₃O₈ which takes up H₂O and gives monosulfuric acid H₂SO₃, and sulfuric acid. CH₄ can be oxidized by ozone or by monopersulfuric acid, with the addition of permanganates to obtain formic acid, which is distilled at 340°-350° with lime to obtain MeOH, which, oxidized, finally gives formaldehyde.