| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing alkanes comprising bringing at least one initial alkane into contact with a metal catalyst containing at least one metal, Me, bonded to at least one hydrogen atom and / or to at least a hydrocarbon radical. The method is characterized in that during the manufacture of alkanes, the catalyst is brought into contact with an agent forming "in situ" of hydrogen. The invention also relates to a process for activating a catalyst as described above and intended for the manufacture of alkanes, a process which is characterized in that during production comprising bringing the catalyst into contact with at least one initial alkane , the catalyst is brought into contact with an agent forming "in situ" of hydrogen. The agent can be chosen from agents capable of releasing hydrogen, in particular by a physical action, and from agents capable of forming hydrogen by chemical reaction, such as methane, in particular in the presence of the catalyst. The metal Me of the catalyst can be chosen from lanthanides, actinides and metals from Groups 2 to 12, in particular the transition metals from Groups 3 to 11 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The catalyst is preferably chosen from supported catalysts and in particular grafted onto a solid support. |