Question

When a mixture of methane and oxygen is heated in the presence of molybdenum oxide, the main product formed will be :

• A. Methanoic acid
• B. Ethanal
• C. Methanol
• D. Methanal

Answer 1

The correct option is D Methanal

When a mixture of methane and oxygen is heated in the presence of molybdenum oxide, formation of methanal takes place.
$C{H}_4+O_2\underset{\Delta }{\overset{Mo-oxide}{\to }}\underset{\text{Methanal}}{HCHO}+H_{2}O$
This method is used for the manufacture of methanal by controlled oxidation of methane in the air in presence of various metallic oxides as a catalyst.
Controlled oxidationis the process of heating the substance with a regulated supply of $O_2$/air at high pressure, in the presence of a catalyst to produce various oxidation products.