Patent ID: 6462243
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: C07C,C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for synthesizing alcohols and/or ethers from alkanes comprising:providing a quantity of an alkane selected from the group including methane, ethane, propane, butane, and isobutane; providing a quantity of bromine; mixing the alkane and the bromine and thereby forming an alkyl bromide and hydrogen bromide; directing the hydrogen bromide into engagement with a metal oxide and thereby forming a metal bromide and water; converting the metal bromide from the hydrogen bromide metal oxide reaction to form the original metal oxide; separately directing the alkyl bromide into engagement with a metal oxide and thereby forming alcohol and/or ether and a metal bromide; converting the metal bromide from the alkyl bromide metal oxide reaction to form the original metal oxide and bromine; recycling the metal oxide; and recycling the bromine.