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Abstract

Bulk silver catalysts were found to be active for the oxidative coupling of methane to ethane and ethylene if operated under oxygen-limited conditions at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures above 1020 K. The addition of small amounts of sodium phosphate as promoter increases markedly the C₂ selectivity (to values above 90%) and yield (>10%) by efficient suppression of reaction steps leading to total oxidation. Further improvement of the yields might be achieved by more appropriate reactor design.