Question

Write the equations for the controlled oxidation of methane to form the formaldehyde.

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 Formaldehyde:

Methane $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$ and Oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$ reacts in the presence of Molybdenum oxide $\left({\mathrm{Mo}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3\right)$ at high temperature to form Formaldehyde $\left(\mathrm{HCHO}\right)$.

The chemical reaction that takes place is :

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CH}}_4+{\mathrm{O}}_2\stackrel{{\mathrm{Mo}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3}{\to }\mathrm{HCHO} \\ \left(\mathrm{Methane}\right)\left(\mathrm{Oxygen}\right)\left(\mathrm{Formaldehyde}\right) \end{gathered}$$