Method of producing formaldehyde directly from methane

摘要

The present invention provides a silica-supported 12-molybdosilicic acid catalyst, comprising a silica carrier having a specific surface area of at least 500 m<2>/g, and at least 10% by weight, based on the silica amount, of 12-molybdosilicic acid supported on the carrier and a method of producing formaldehyde directly from a mixed gas of methane and oxygen in the presence of the particular catalyst. Formaldehyde can be produced at a high yield in the present invention without requiring a reforming process of methane with water vapor that consumes a large amount of energy. In addition, attentions are also paid to the air pollution and water contamination problems in the present invention.