| abstract |
In order to form halogenated C 1 hydrocarbons having a higher number of halogen substituents than the reactant hydrocarbons, a reactant hydrocarbon selected from methane, halogenated C 1 hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof in the presence of a rare earth halide or rare earth oxyhalide catalyst is used as a source of halogen, And preferably an oxidative halogenation process comprising contacting with a source of oxygen. Preferably, the product is monohalogenated methane, more preferably methyl chloride. Oxidative halogenation processes to form methyl halides include expensive commodity chemicals such as methyl alcohol and / or dimethyl ether; Light olefins including ethylene, propylene and butenes; Higher hydrocarbons including gasoline; It can be combined with downstream processes to produce vinyl halide monomers and acetic acid. The halide hydrogen, a coproduct of the downstream process, can be recycled to the oxidative halogenation process. |