Catalytic process for producing ethylene and carbon monoxide mixtures from ethane

摘要

A method for producing a mixture of ethylene and carbon monoxide by contacting ethane and an oxygen source with a catalyst comprising iron oxide supported on an inorganic material to produce ethylene and carbon monoxide. A method for producing an alkyl propionate by steps of: (a) contacting ethane and an oxygen source at a temperature of at least 600° C. to produce ethylene; (b) contacting an alcohol, ethylene and carbon monoxide with an ethylene carbonylation catalyst to produce the alkyl propionate; and (c) separating the alkyl propionate from byproducts and starting materials. The method further comprises condensing the alkyl propionate with formaldehyde to produce an alkyl methacrylate.