Oxyhydrochlorination catalyst and process

摘要

A catalyst composition and a process are described for the oxyhydrochlorination of methane to form methyl chloride. The process comprises contacting methane, oxygen and hydrogen chloride with a fixed-bed of a catalyst comprising a support selected from alumina or pyrogenic silica and, retained on the support, from 0.3 to 5 weight percent copper, from 5 to 25 weight percent lanthanum and from 0.1 to 5 weight percent lithium. The contact of the reactants with the fixed-bed of catalyst is effected at a temperature within a range of 200 DEG C. to 400 DEG C. This process can be conducted at a gauge pressure within a range of 0 to 689.5 kPa (0 to 100 psi).