Methane condensation to higher hydrocarbons with a single-pass methane conversion of 30% and total carbon selectivity of 90% has been achieved in a system of two-stage serial reactors. Methane reacts with HBr and oxygen in the first catalyst bed at 660 degrees C to form CH3Br and CH2Br2, while CH3Br and CH2Br2, are converted to higher hydrocarbons in the second catalyst bed at 240 degrees C. A reusable sorption material MgO/SiO2 has been identified for the separation of HBr from H2O and olefins (performed at 200 degrees C, making the recovery of bromine and the purification of olefins feasible. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.