Question

Write the equations for controlled oxidation of methane to form the following:

methyl alcohol

Answer 1

Step 1: Introduction

Methane $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$ gives different types of oxidation reaction which depends on experimental conditions like temperature, pressure, catalyst, and moles of reactant.

Step 2: Oxidation of methane to Methyl alcohol

Methane $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$ and Oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$ reacts in the presence of a Copper $\left(\mathrm{Cu}\right)$ tube at the temperature of 573 K under 100 atm pressure.

The chemical reaction that takes place is :

$$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{CH}}_4+{\mathrm{O}}_2\stackrel{\mathrm{Cu}/573\mathrm{K}/100\mathrm{atm}}{\to }2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH} \\ \left(\mathrm{Methane}\right)\left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)(\mathrm{Methyl}\mathrm{alcohol}) \end{gathered}$$