DEHYDROGENATION OF METHANE ON SUPPORTED MOLYBDENUM OXIDES - FORMATION OF BENZENE FROM METHANE

The dehydrogenation of methane on MoO3 supported on various oxides has been investigated under non-oxidizing conditions in a fixed bed, continuous flow reactor. Detailed measurements were performed with MoO3/SiO2. The reaction of methane was observed above 923 K after a significant time lag, when a partial reduction of Mo6+ occurred, the reduced phase being characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The initial gaseous products are CO2, H2O, H-2 and CO. But this stage is followed by the dehydrogenation of methane and coupling of hydrocarbon fragments to various hydrocarbons. A possible pathway of the formation of benzene, the main product of reaction with selectivities ranging from 26 to 56%, is suggested.