A process is provided for converting an alkane to an oxygenated product by
passing an alkane gas over a first fixed bed containing a higher valence
bromide salt to produce an alkyl bromide, a hydrobromic acid, and a lower
valence bromide salt. The alkyl bromide and hydrobromic acid are conveyed
as a gas to a second fixed bed containing a metal oxide and are passed
over the second fixed bed to produce the first bromide salt and the
oxygenated product. The metal oxide in the second fixed bed is
regenerated by passing oxygen over the second fixed bed producing the
metal oxide and bromine. The bromine is conveyed as a gas from the second
fixed bed to the first fixed bed. The first bromide salt of the first
fixed bed is regenerated by passing the bromine over the first fixed bed
producing the first bromide salt.