(US4777313-A)      Methane is converted to higher hydrocarbons by contacting a gascontg. methane under synthesis condition with A) as known at least 1 reducible solid oxide of at least 1 metal ans B) and/or a B cpd. so that the oxide is reduced and higher hydrocarbons and water are produced.    The atom ratio oxide, metal to B (cpd) as B, is pref. 0.5-5:1.    The metal is esp. Mn.    The oxide and B (cpd) are on a support.    The reaction temp. is 500-1,000 deg.C. The methane is esp. mixed with a gaseous oxidant and is contacted at 300-1,200, esp. 800-900 deg. C.    The solid is esp. MnBbMcOx, where M is at least 1 alkaline earth metal, esp. Mg or Ca, b is 0.1-10, c is 0.1-100, x depends pm tje valencies of the metals.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Also for the dehydrogenation of paraffins to the corresponding monoolefins; the oxides are rugged, stable and attrition resistant.    (9pp)    (US4861936-A)      Div ex 4777313 Cip 4495374, 4499322, 4547611 Dehydrogenation Sn, In, Ge, Pb, Sb, Bi, Pr, Tb, and/or Ru; boron or a B cpd.; and pref. an alkalie metal or alkaline earth metal cpd., such that the molar ratio M/B is about 0.1-20, where M is the metal in the reducible oxide.    USE -   The prods. are catalysts for the conversion of CH4 to higher hydrocarbons, or the dehydrogenation of 2-5C alkanes to corresp.    alkenes.    (9pp)    (US4912081-A)      (+12.08.83,16.04.84,12.08.83(2),16.04.84,18.12.84,23.06.86, 27.06.88-US-522937,600655,522936/7,600654,683296,877574,212537) The catalyst compsn. comprises reducible oxides of at least one of Mn, Sn, In, Ge, Pb, Sb, Bi, Pr, Tb, Ce, Fe and Ru and further (a) at least one of Li and its cpds., (b) at least one of B and its cpds., and (c) at least one alkaline earth metal and their cpds. The empirical formula of the compsn. is MLiaBbCcOx where M is one of the above metals, a is 0.01-10, b is 0.1-20 pref. 0.1-10, C is an alkaline earth metal, c is 0.1-100, pref. 1-7, and x is the number of O atoms required by the valence states of the other elements.    USE/ADVANTAGE -   Used for converting CH4 to higher hydrocarbons and for oxidative dehydrogenation of esp. paraffinic hydrocarbons to the corresp. mono-olefins. The catalyst is rugged, attrition resistant, stable at the high temps. used, and can operate effectively for long periods.    (8pp)    (JP95037395-B2)      A catalyst compsn. (I) comprises (a) a reducible oxide of Mn, (b) lithium and/or cpd(s). of them, (c) boron and/or cpd(s). of them; and (d) alkaline earth metal(s) and/or cpd(s) of them. Atomic ratio Mn:B is from more than 1:1 to 5:1. A mixed oxide compsn. (II) contg. Mn, Na, B and Mg is characterised by (a) the presence of the crystalline cpd. NaB2mg4Mn2Ox (IIa); and (b) an amt. of Mn in (II) in excess of the stoichiometric amt. relative to B in (IIa). Methane is converted to higher hydrocarbons by contacting a gas contg. methane with a solid compsn. (III) comprising (a) a reducible oxide of Mn which is reduced on contact with methane under the reaction conditions to produce higher hydrocarbons and water and (b) a promoting amt. of boron and/or cpd(s) of them, in atomic ratio Mn:B from more than 1:1 to 5:1.    Dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons are dehydrogenated by contact under oxidative dehydrogenation conditions with a compsn. (III) as defined above which is substantially free of catalytically effective iron. A hydrocarbon conversion process comprises contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with a solid compsn. (III) as above substantially free of catalytically effective iron, and characterised by the prodn. of hydrocarbon prod., co-product waster and reduced Mn oxide.