HIGH SURFACE AREA OXIDE COMPOSITIONS WITH A PYROCHLORE STRUCTURE, METHODS FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND, CONVERSION PROCESSES UTILIZING SAME

摘要

Processes for the conversion of hydrocarbons, and most preferably methane, to higher hydrocarbons and olefins are disclosed, including contacting the hydrocarbons with a mixed metal oxide catalyst having the pyrochlore structure. Preferably, thase catalysts have the general formula AnB2O7-x, where A can be various mono-, di-, and trivalent metal cations, B can be various tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexavalent metal cations, 0 ? n ? 2.0, and 0 ? x ? 1.0. Novel, high surface area, mixed metal oxide catalysts having the pyrochlore structure are also disclosed, including those having the formula A2B2O7, where A is divalent and B is niobium and/or tantalum, and those having the formula A2(Sn2-yAy)O7-z, where A is bismuth and/or lead, 0.0 ? y ? 1.0, and 0.0 ? z ? 1.0.