A process for converting natural gas to reactive gaseous products, comprising heating the gas through a selected range of temperature for sufficient time, or combusting a portion of the gas at a sufficient temperature and under suitable conditions for a reaction time sufficient to convert a portion of the gas stream to reactive hydrocarbon products, primarily ethylene or acetylene. The gas containing acetylene may be separated such that acetylene is converted to ethylene. A portion of the incoming natural gas or hydrogen produced in the process may be used to heat the remainder of the natural gas to the selected range of temperature. Unrecovered gaseous products resulting from the reactions may be used to provide heat to the process by which reactive gas components are produced. Recovered gaseous products, together or individually, may be reserved for subsequent use or storage.