PRODUCTION OF LOWER OLEFIN

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a lower olefin that is useful as a basic raw material for a variety of chemicals by catalytically decomposing a hydrocarbon raw material using a catalyst of a rare earth element oxide in the presence of oxygen as the formation of aromatic and heavy side-products is inhibited. SOLUTION: (A) A hydrocarbon raw material (of 2-30 carbon atoms, preferably of 2-20 carbon atoms, particularly ethane) is catalytically decomposed by using (B) a catalyst of a rare earth element oxide such as oxide of lanthanum or neodymium preferably containing an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal (lithium or magnesium) as a cocatalyst, in the presence of (C) oxygen at a mixed ratio of the component A to the component C in terms of an atomic ratio of the oxygen/the carbon atoms of 0.01-3 at 500-800 deg.C, preferably 550-780 deg.C to obtain the objective olefin.