The gas-solid reaction between methane and the lattice oxygen of Ni, Co, and Fe-oxides loaded on various support materials produced a synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) at 600-800 degrees C. Metal oxides were reduced to metals or lower valence oxides, and they were re-oxidized to oxides by introducing air after the reaction. Thus, production of hydrogen or synthesis gas free from nitrogen can be achieved alternatively without using pure oxygen. As a metal oxide, Fe(2)O(3) and Rh(2)O(3)-loaded on Y(2)O(3) exhibited the highest H(2) selectivity of 60.1% with a moderate CH(4) conversion of 54% and a high lattice oxygen utilization of 84% at 800 degrees C. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.