NOVELTY - A gaseous hydrocarbon is converted to syngas product by providing a hydrocarbon oxidation reactor having a reaction zone containing a thin shell catalyst. The thin shell catalyst comprises a discrete non-microporous support structure and a catalytically active metal. A thin shell containing the active metal is disposed on the discrete non-microporous support structure.    USE - For converting gaseous hydrocarbon to a syngas product.    ADVANTAGE - The inventive method uses highly active that has excellent mechanical strength, resistance to rapid temperature fluctuations and thermal stability at partial oxidation reaction temperatures. The catalyst is economically feasible under commercial-scale conditions.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Conversion of gaseous hydrocarbon to syngas product involves providing a hydrocarbon oxidation reactor having a reaction zone containing a thin shell (210) catalyst. The thin shell catalyst comprises a discrete non-microporous support (220) structure and a catalytically active metal. A thin shell containing the catalytically active metal is disposed on the discrete non-microporous support structure. A reactant gas containing 1-5C hydrocarbon and oxygen is contacted on the thin shell catalyst in the reaction zone. Catalytic oxidation promoting conditions are maintained in the reaction zone during the contacting so that a portion of the reactant gas is converted to a product (240) comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide.    An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a thin-shell catalyst comprising a discrete support structure having a characteristic longest dimension of 0.5-6 mm, and a thin layer disposed on the structure. The thin layer comprises catalytically active metal(s) of nickel, rhodium, iridium, and/or ruthenium. The thin layer has a thickness of 5-100 micrometer.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is schematic diagram of non-microporous thin shell catalyst.    Catalyst particle (200)    Shell (210)    Non-microporous support (220)    Reactant stream (230)    Product (240)