Question

Write the equations for controlled oxidation of methane to form the formic acid.

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 Formic acid

Methane $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$ and Oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$ reacts with Copper$\left(\mathrm{Cu}\right)$ powder at the temperature of 523 K under 100 atm pressure forms the Methanol $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}\right)$.

The chemical reaction that takes place is :

$$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{CH}}_4+{\mathrm{O}}_2\stackrel{\mathrm{Cu}/523\mathrm{K}/100\mathrm{atm}}{\to }2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH} \\ \left(\mathrm{Methane}\right)\left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)\left(\mathrm{Methanol}\right) \end{gathered}$$

Methanol and Oxygen on further oxidation with alkaline Potassium permanganate $\left({\mathrm{KMnO}}_4\right)$ forms the Formic acid $\left(\mathrm{HCOOH}\right)$ and Water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$.

The chemical reaction that takes place is written as:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}+{\mathrm{O}}_2\stackrel{\mathrm{Alkaline}{\mathrm{KMnO}}_4}{\to }\mathrm{HCOOH}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O} \\ \left(\mathrm{Methanol}\right)\left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)(\mathrm{Formic}\mathrm{acid})\left(\mathrm{Water}\right) \end{gathered}$$