Disclosed herein, inter alia, are novel nickel-ruthenium-magnesium oxide catalyst compositions and methods of making and using the same. The catalysts provide for improved methanation activity of syngas (CO+H.sub.2) and producer gas in, for example, a fixed-bed reactor. In this manner, the CO conversion and CH.sub.4 yield can be maximized in methanation reactions.

An OCM catalyst composition characterized by general formula A.sub.aLa.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein E is a first rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a second rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element and second rare earth element are different; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is 0.01-10.0; wherein c is 0-10.0; wherein d is 0-10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states. The alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof. The first rare earth element and the second rare earth element can each independently be selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and combinations thereof. The redox agent is selected from the group consisting of Mn, W, Bi, Sb, Sn, Ce, Pr, and combinations thereof.

Nanowires useful as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The nanowires catalysts are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

A method of selecting a stable mixed metal oxide catalyst for an oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction is disclosed. The method may include, obtaining a mixed metal oxide material having catalytically active metal oxides for the OCM reaction and identifying the Tammann temperature (TTam) of at least one of the catalytically active metals oxides of the mixed metal oxide material. The method further includes selecting the mixed metal oxide material for use as a catalyst in the OCM reaction if the at least one catalytically active metal oxides present in the mixed metal oxide material has a TTam greater than a predetermined temperature.

Disclosed is a catalyst comprising: a composition having a formula BN.sub.xM.sub.yO.sub.z wherein B represents boron, N represents nitrogen, M comprises a metal or metalloid, and O represents oxygen, x ranges from 0 to 1, y ranges from 0.01 to 5.5; and z ranges from 0 to 16.5. The catalyst may be suitable for converting alkanes to olefins.

Catalytic forms and formulations are provided. The catalytic forms and formulations are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

A mixed oxide catalyst for the oxidative coupling of methane can include a catalyst with the formula A.sub.aB.sub.bC.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x, wherein: element A is selected from alkaline earth metals; elements B and C are selected from rare earth metals, and wherein elements B and C are different rare earth metals; the oxide of at least one of A, B, C, and D has basic properties; the oxide of at least one of A, B, C, and D has redox properties; and elements A, B, C, and D are selected to create a synergistic effect whereby the catalytic material provides a methane conversion of greater than or equal to 15% and a C.sub.2.sup.+ selectivity of greater than or equal to 70%. Systems and methods can include contacting the catalyst with methane and oxygen and purifying or collecting C.sub.2.sup.| products.

Catalysts, catalytic forms and formulations, and catalytic methods are provided. The catalysts and catalytic forms and formulations are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane. Related methods for use and manufacture of the same are also disclosed.

Catalysts and catalytic methods are provided. The catalysts and methods are useful in a variety of catalytic reactions, for example, the oxidative coupling of methane.

Methods for producing butadiene by the oxidative dehydrogenation of butene are provided. Methods for producing butadiene from a feed stream including oxygen and butene in a molar ratio of oxygen to butene (O.sub.2/C.sub.4H.sub.8) from about 0.9 to about 1.5 can include introducing the feed stream to a catalyst in the presence of steam. The molar ratio of steam to butene (H.sub.2O/C.sub.4H.sub.8) can be from about 10 to about 20. Methods can further include reacting the butene to generate a product stream therefrom comprising butadiene and water. Methods can further include separating water from the product stream to generate a butadiene stream including greater than about 85 wt-% butadiene.