Oxidation of methane to methanol on the surface of FeZSM-5 zeolite

Recent Advances in the Catalytic Conversion of Methane to Methanol: From the Challenges of Traditional Catalysts to the Use of Nanomaterials and Metal-Organic Frameworks

Methane and carbon dioxide are the main contributors to global warming, with the methane effect being 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Although the sources of methane are diverse, it is a very volatile and explosive gas. One way to store the energy content of methane is through its conversion to methanol. Methanol is a liquid under ambient conditions, easy to transport, and, apart from its use as an energy source, it is a chemical platform that can serve as a starting material for the production of various higher-value products. Accordingly, the transformation of methane to methanol has been extensively studied in the literature, using traditional catalysts as different types of zeolites. However, in the last few years, a new generation of catalysts has emerged to carry out this transformation with higher conversion and selectivity, and more importantly, under mild temperature and pressure conditions. These new catalysts typically involve the use of a highly porous supporting material such as zeolite, or more recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and graphene, and metallic nanoparticles or a combination of different types of nanoparticles that are the core of the catalytic process. In this review, recent advances in the porous supports for nanoparticles used for methane oxidation to methanol under mild conditions are discussed.

Bimetallic Nanoalloy Catalysts for Green Energy Production: Advances in Synthesis Routes and Characterization Techniques

Bimetallic Nanoalloy catalysts have diverse uses in clean energy, sensing, catalysis, biomedicine, and energy storage, with some supported and unsupported catalysts. Conventional synthetic methods for producing bimetallic alloy nanoparticles often produce unalloyed and bulky particles that do not exhibit desired characteristics. Alloys, when prepared with advanced nanoscale methods, give higher surface area, activity, and selectivity than individual metals due to changes in their electronic properties and reduced size. This review demonstrates the synthesis methods and principles to produce and characterize highly dispersed, well-alloyed bimetallic nanoalloy particles in relatively simple, effective, and generalized approaches and the overall existence of conventional synthetic methods with modifications to prepare bimetallic alloy catalysts. The basic concepts and mechanistic understanding are represented with purposely selected examples. Herein, the enthralling properties with widespread applications of nanoalloy catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis are also presented, especially for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER), Oxidation Reduction Reaction (ORR), Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER), and alcohol oxidation with a particular focus on Pt and Pd-based bimetallic nanoalloys and their numerous fields of applications. The high entropy alloy is described as a complicated subject with an emphasis on laser-based green synthesis of nanoparticles and, in conclusion, the forecasts and contemporary challenges for the controlled synthesis of nanoalloys are addressed.

Mechanistic insight into the effect of active site motif structures on direct oxidation of methane to methanol over Cu-ZSM-5

Direct oxidation of methane to methanol (DMTM), a highly challenging reaction in C1 chemistry, has attracted lots of attention. Herein, we investigate the continuous H2O-mediated N2O-DMTM over a series of Cu-ZSM-5-n zeolites prepared by a solid-state ion-exchange method. Excellent CH3OH productivity (194.8 μmol gcat-1 h-1) and selectivity (67.1%) can be achieved over Cu-ZSM-5-0.3%, which surpasses most recently reported zeolite catalysts. The effect of the active site motif structure on the reaction was systematically investigated by the combined experimental and theoretical studies. It has been revealed that both the monomeric [Cu]+ and binuclear [Cu]+-[Cu]+ sites function to produce CH3OH, following the radical rebound mechanism, wherein the latter one plays a dominant role due to the synergistic effect of neighboring [Cu]+ that can efficiently reduce the N2O dissociation barrier to generate active oxygen for CH4 oxidation. Microkinetic modeling results further show that the dicopper site possesses a much higher net reaction rate (1.23 × 105 s-1) than the monomeric Cu site (0.962 s-1); moreover, H2O can shift the rate determining step from the CH3OH desorption step to the N2O dissociation step over the dicopper site, thereby efficiently favoring CH3OH production and resisting carbon deposition. Generally, the study in the present work would substantially favor other highly efficient catalyst designs.

Methanol on the rocks: green rust transformation promotes the oxidation of methane

Shared coordination geometries between metal ions within reactive minerals and enzymatic metal cofactors hints at mechanistic and possibly evolutionary homology between particular abiotic chemical mineralogies and biological metabolism. The octahedral coordination of reactive Fe2+/3+ minerals such as green rusts, endemic to anoxic sediments and the early Earth's oceans, mirrors the di-iron reaction centre of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO), responsible for methane oxidation in methanotrophy. We show that methane oxidation occurs in tandem with the oxidation of green rust to lepidocrocite and magnetite, mimicking radical-mediated methane oxidation found in sMMO to yield not only methanol but also halogenated hydrocarbons in the presence of seawater. This naturally occurring geochemical pathway for CH4 oxidation elucidates a previously unidentified carbon cycling mechanism in modern and ancient environments and reveals clues into mineral-mediated reactions in the synthesis of organic compounds necessary for the emergence of life.

Methane Oxidation over Cu2+ /[CuOH]+ Pairs and Site-Specific Kinetics in Copper Mordenite Revealed by Operando Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and UV/Visible Spectroscopy

Cu-exchanged mordenite (MOR) is a promising material for partial CH4 oxidation. The structural diversity of Cu species within MOR makes it difficult to identify the active Cu sites and to determine their redox and kinetic properties. In this study, the Cu speciation in Cu-MOR materials with different Cu loadings has been determined using operando electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and operando ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy as well as in situ photoluminescence (PL) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A novel pathway for CH4 oxidation involving paired [CuOH]+ and bare Cu2+ species has been identified. The reduction of bare Cu2+ ions facilitated by adjacent [CuOH]+ demonstrates that the frequently reported assumption of redox-inert Cu2+ centers does not generally apply. The measured site-specific reaction kinetics show that dimeric Cu species exhibit a faster reaction rate and a higher apparent activation energy than monomeric Cu2+ active sites highlighting their difference in the CH4 oxidation potential.

Electro-assisted methane oxidation to formic acid via in-situ cathodically generated H2O2 under ambient conditions

Direct partial oxidation of methane to liquid oxygenates has been regarded as a potential route to valorize methane. However, CH4 activation usually requires a high temperature and pressure, which lowers the feasibility of the reaction. Here, we propose an electro-assisted approach for the partial oxidation of methane, using in-situ cathodically generated reactive oxygen species, at ambient temperature and pressure. Upon using acid-treated carbon as the electrocatalyst, the electro-assisted system enables the partial oxidation of methane in an acidic electrolyte to produce oxygenated liquid products. We also demonstrate a high production rate of oxygenates (18.9 μmol h-1) with selective HCOOH production. Mechanistic analysis reveals that reactive oxygen species such as ∙OH and ∙OOH radicals are produced and activate CH4 and CH3OH. In addition, unstable CH3OOH generated from methane partial oxidation can be additionally reduced to CH3OH on the cathode, and so-produced CH3OH is further oxidized to HCOOH, allowing selective methane partial oxidation.

Selective Oxidation of Methane to Methanol via In Situ H2O2 Synthesis

The selective oxidation of methane to methanol, using H2O2 generated in situ from the elements, has been investigated using a series of ZSM-5-supported AuPd catalysts of varying elemental composition, prepared via a deposition precipitation protocol. The alloying of Pd with Au was found to offer significantly improved efficacy, compared to that observed over monometallic analogues. Complementary studies into catalytic performance toward the direct synthesis and subsequent degradation of H2O2, under idealized conditions, indicate that methane oxidation efficacy is not directly related to H2O2 production rates, and it is considered that the known ability of Au to promote the release of reactive oxygen species is the underlying cause for the improved performance of the bimetallic catalysts.

Methane Oxidation to Methanol

The direct transformation of methane to methanol remains a significant challenge for operation at a larger scale. Central to this challenge is the low reactivity of methane at conditions that can facilitate product recovery. This review discusses the issue through examination of several promising routes to methanol and an evaluation of performance targets that are required to develop the process at scale. We explore the methods currently used, the emergence of active heterogeneous catalysts and their design and reaction mechanisms and provide a critical perspective on future operation. Initial experiments are discussed where identification of gas phase radical chemistry limited further development by this approach. Subsequently, a new class of catalytic materials based on natural systems such as iron or copper containing zeolites were explored at milder conditions. The key issues of these technologies are low methane conversion and often significant overoxidation of products. Despite this, interest remains high in this reaction and the wider appeal of an effective route to key products from C-H activation, particularly with the need to transition to net carbon zero with new routes from renewable methane sources is exciting.

Coherently synchronized reaction of methane oxidation by green oxidizer–hydrogen peroxide – over the biomimetic catalyst iron pentafluorotetraphenylporphyrin deposited on alumina

The activity of penta- FTPhPFe(III)/Al2O3 biomimetic catalyst in the reaction of methane direct conversion into methanol by green oxidant hydrogen peroxide was studied at T = 150–350 °C and atmospheric pressure, where methanol yield was 19.2% with methane conversion of 28%. Based on the results of the structural analysis of the Al2O3 support and the biomimetic catalyst sample the mesoporosity of support with pore size in the range of dp = 2.4–22.2 nm in the cylindric shape with an open end and the synthesized biomimetic nanostructure were determined. The data on the definition of the nature and quantitative assessment of Al2O3 support acid–base centers are given that made possible to describe probable mechanism of methane coherent-synchronized oxidation into methanol on the biomimetic.

Oxidation of methane and ethylene over Al incorporated N-doped graphene: A comparative mechanistic DFT study

It is generally recognized that developing effective methods for selective oxidation of hydrocarbons to generate more useful chemicals is a major challenge for the chemical industry. In the present study, density functional theory calculations are conducted to examine the catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CH₄) and ethylene (C₂H₄) by nitrous oxide (N₂O) over Al-incorporated porphyrin-like N-doped graphene (AlN₄-Gr). Adsorption energies for the most stable configurations of CH₄, C₂H₄, and N₂O molecules over the AlN₄-Gr catalyst are determined to be -0.25, -0.64, and -0.40 eV, respectively. According to our findings, N₂O can be efficiently split into N₂ and O_ads species with a negligible activation energy on the AlN₄-Gr surface. Meanwhile, CH₄ and C₂H₄ molecules compete for reaction with the activated oxygen atom (O_ads) that stays on the surface. The energy barriers for partial methane oxidation through the CH₄ + O_ads → CH₃° + HO_ads and CH₃° + HO_ads → CH₃OH reaction steps are 0.16 eV and 0.27 eV, respectively. Furthermore, the produced CH₃OH may be overoxidized by O_ads to give formaldehyde and water molecules by overcoming a relatively low activation barrier. The activation barriers for C₂H₄ epoxidation are small and comparable to those for CH₄ oxidation, implying that AlN₄-Gr is highly active for both reactions. The high energy barrier for the 1,2-hydrogen shift in the OCH₂CH₂ intermediate, on the other hand, makes the production of acetaldehyde impossible under normal conditions. According to the population analysis, the AlN₄-Gr serves as a strong electron donor to aid in the charge transfer between the Al atom and the O_ads moiety, which is necessary for the activation of CH₄ and C₂H₄. The findings of the present study may pave the way for a better understanding of the catalytic oxidation the CH₄ and C₂H₄, as well as for the development of highly efficient noble-metal free catalysts for these reactions.

Gas-Phase Selective Oxidation of Methane into Methane Oxygenates

Methane is an abundant resource and its direct conversion into value-added chemicals has been an attractive subject for its efficient utilization. This method can be more efficient than the present energy-intensive indirect conversion of methane via syngas, a mixture of CO and H2. Among the various approaches for direct methane conversion, the selective oxidation of methane into methane oxygenates (e.g., methanol and formaldehyde) is particularly promising because it can proceed at low temperatures. Nevertheless, due to low product yields this method is challenging. Compared with the liquid-phase partial oxidation of methane, which frequently demands for strong oxidizing agents in protic solvents, gas-phase selective methane oxidation has some merits, such as the possibility of using oxygen as an oxidant and the ease of scale-up owing to the use of heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, we summarize recent advances in the gas-phase partial oxidation of methane into methane oxygenates, focusing mainly on its conversion into formaldehyde and methanol.

A DFT Study of Boron Nitride-confined Nickel Single Atoms for the Oxidation of Methane to Methanol

Direct oxidation of methane to methanol (DMTM) remains an economically tantalizing but fundamentally challenging goal because of the highly stable C-H bonds. By using density functional theory calculations, we investigated...

Rational design of ZSM-5 zeolite containing a high concentration of single Fe sites capable of catalyzing the partial oxidation of methane with high turnover frequency

We successfully synthesized a Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst enabling conversion of methane to C1 oxygenates in record yields, and demonstrated that the fraction of the single Fe cation, as well as the Al distribution, are the powerful activity descriptors.

Light alkane oxidation over well-defined active sites in metal–organic framework materials

We review structure–catalytic property relationships for MOF materials used in the direct oxidation of light alkanes, focusing specifically on the elucidation of active site structures and probes for reaction mechanisms.

The new challenge of partial oxidation of methane over Fe2O3/NaY and Fe3O4/NaY heterogeneous catalysts

As one of the most important gases that abundantly contribute to air pollution, methane becomes the most leading gas that challenges researchers to utilize it in more functional products such as methanol. In this study, the conversion process involved iron oxide species supported by sodium Y (NaY-Z) zeolite as the catalysts. This work highlighted the preparation of Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ modified NaY zeolite to investigate their catalytic performance on partial oxidation of methane to methanol, with trace amount of oxygen (0.5% in N₂), in a batch reactor. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and BET. The structure of NaY zeolite and its modified catalysts were confirmed. The pristine NaY-Z shows the highest activity followed by Fe₂O₃/NaY-3.52 (3.52 wt% of Fe loading) with high selectivity to formaldehyde (80%). Very high selectivity (∼100%) towards methanol was observed in the reactions on Fe₂O₃/NaY-1.70 and Fe₃O₄/NaY-2.55 catalysts, although the total amount of product was decreased. It was noticeable that Fe₃O₄/NaY-3.22 is an active catalyst and has good selectivity to methanol (70%).

Selective Formation of α-Fe(II) Sites on Fe-Zeolites through One-Pot Synthesis

α-Fe(II) active sites in iron zeolites catalyze N₂O decomposition and form highly reactive α-O that selectively oxidizes unreactive hydrocarbons, such as methane. How these α-Fe(II) sites are formed remains unclear. Here different methods of iron introduction into zeolites are compared to derive the limiting factors of Fe speciation to α-Fe(II). Postsynthetic iron introduction procedures on small pore zeolites suffer from limited iron diffusion and dispersion leading to iron oxides. In contrast, by introducing Fe(III) in the hydrothermal synthesis mixture of the zeolite (one-pot synthesis) and the right treatment, crystalline CHA can be prepared with >1.6 wt % Fe, of which >70% is α-Fe(II). The effect of iron on the crystallization is investigated, and the intermediate Fe species are tracked using UV-vis-NIR, FT-IR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. These data are supplemented with online mass spectrometry in each step, with reactivity tests in α-O formation and with methanol yields in stoichiometric methane activation at room temperature and pressure. We recover up to 134 μmol methanol per gram in a single cycle through H₂O/CH₃CN extraction and 183 μmol/g through steam desorption, a record yield for iron zeolites. A general scheme is proposed for iron speciation in zeolites through the steps of drying, calcination, and activation. The formation of two cohorts of α-Fe(II) is discovered, one before and one after high temperature activation. We propose the latter cohort depends on the reshuffling of aluminum in the zeolite lattice to accommodate thermodynamically favored α-Fe(II).

Activation and conversion of alkanes in the confined space of zeolite-type materials

Microporous zeolite-type materials, with crystalline porous structures formed by well-defined channels and cages of molecular dimensions, have been widely employed as heterogeneous catalysts since the early 1960s, due to their wide variety of framework topologies, compositional flexibility and hydrothermal stability. The possible selection of the microporous structure and of the elements located in framework and extraframework positions enables the design of highly selective catalysts with well-defined active sites of acidic, basic or redox character, opening the path to their application in a wide range of catalytic processes. This versatility and high catalytic efficiency is the key factor enabling their use in the activation and conversion of different alkanes, ranging from methane to long chain n-paraffins. Alkanes are highly stable molecules, but their abundance and low cost have been two main driving forces for the development of processes directed to their upgrading over the last 50 years. However, the availability of advanced characterization tools combined with molecular modelling has enabled a more fundamental approach to the activation and conversion of alkanes, with most of the recent research being focused on the functionalization of methane and light alkanes, where their selective transformation at reasonable conversions remains, even nowadays, an important challenge. In this review, we will cover the use of microporous zeolite-type materials as components of mono- and bifunctional catalysts in the catalytic activation and conversion of C₁⁺ alkanes under non-oxidative or oxidative conditions. In each case, the alkane activation will be approached from a fundamental perspective, with the aim of understanding, at the molecular level, the role of the active sites involved in the activation and transformation of the different molecules and the contribution of shape-selective or confinement effects imposed by the microporous structure.

Beyond Radical Rebound: Methane Oxidation to Methanol Catalyzed by Iron Species in Metal-Organic Framework Nodes

Recent work has exploited the ability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to isolate Fe sites that mimic the structures of sites in enzymes that catalyze selective oxidations at low temperatures, opening new pathways for the valorization of underutilized feedstocks such as methane. Questions remain as to whether the radical-rebound mechanism commonly invoked in enzymatic and homogeneous systems also applies in these rigid-framework materials, in which resisting the overoxidation of desired products is a major challenge. We demonstrate that MOFs bearing Fe(II) sites within Fe₃-μ₃-oxo nodes active for conversion of CH₄ + N₂O mixtures (368-408 K) require steps beyond the radical-rebound mechanism to protect the desired CH₃OH product. Infrared spectra and density functional theory show that CH₃OH_(g) is stabilized as Fe(III)-OCH₃ groups on the MOF via hydrogen atom transfer with Fe(III)-OH groups, eliminating water. Consequently, upon addition of a protonic zeolite in inter- and intrapellet mixtures with the MOF, we observed increases in CH₃OH selectivity with increasing ratio and proximity of zeolitic H⁺ to MOF-based Fe(II) sites, as methanol is protected within the zeolite. We infer from the data that CH₃OH_(g) is formed via the radical-rebound mechanism on Fe(II) sites but that subsequent transport and dehydration steps are required to protect CH₃OH_(g) from overoxidation. The results demonstrate that the radical-rebound mechanism commonly invoked in this chemistry is insufficient to explain the reactivity of these systems, that the selectivity-controlling steps involve both chemical and physical rate phenomena, as well as offering a strategy to mitigate overoxidation in these and similar systems.

H2 O-Built Proton Transfer Bridge Enhances Continuous Methane Oxidation to Methanol over Cu-BEA Zeolite

Direct oxidation of methane to methanol (DMTM) is a big challenge in C₁ chemistry. We present a continuous N₂ O-DMTM investigation by simultaneously introducing 10 vol % H₂ O into the reaction system over Cu-BEA zeolites. Combining a D₂ O isotopic tracer technique and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation, we for the first time demonstrate that the H₂ O molecules can participate in the reaction through a proton transfer route, wherein the H₂ O molecules can build a high-speed proton transfer bridge between the generated moieties of CH₃ ^- and OH^- over the evolved mono(μ-oxo) dicopper ([Cu-O-Cu]²⁺ ) active site, thereby pronouncedly boosting the CH₃ OH selectivity (3.1→71.6 %), productivity (16.8→242.9 μmol g_cat ^-1  h^-1 ) and long-term reaction stability (10→70 h) relative to the scenario of absence of H₂ O. Unravelling the proton transfer of H₂ O over the dicopper [Cu-O-Cu]²⁺ site would substantially contribute to highly efficient catalyst designs for the continuous DMTM.

Cage effects control the mechanism of methane hydroxylation in zeolites

Catalytic conversion of methane to methanol remains an economically tantalizing but fundamentally challenging goal. Current technologies based on zeolites deactivate too rapidly for practical application. We found that similar active sites hosted in different zeolite lattices can exhibit markedly different reactivity with methane, depending on the size of the zeolite pore apertures. Whereas zeolite with large pore apertures deactivates completely after a single turnover, 40% of active sites in zeolite with small pore apertures are regenerated, enabling a catalytic cycle. Detailed spectroscopic characterization of reaction intermediates and density functional theory calculations show that hindered diffusion through small pore apertures disfavors premature release of CH3 radicals from the active site after C-H activation, thereby promoting radical recombination to form methanol rather than deactivated Fe-OCH3 centers elsewhere in the lattice.

Structural Studies of Aluminated form of Zeolites-EXAFS and XRD Experiment, STEM Micrography, and DFT Modelling

In this article, the results of computational structural studies on Al-containing zeolites, via periodic DFT + D modelling and FDM (Finite Difference Method) to solve the Schrödinger equation (FDMNES) for XAS simulations, corroborated by EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) spectroscopy and PXRD (powder X-ray diffractometry), are presented. The applicability of Radial Distribution Function (RDF) to screen out the postulated zeolite structure is also discussed. The structural conclusions are further verified by HR-TEM imaging.

Methane to Methanol through Heterogeneous Catalysis and Plasma Catalysis

Direct oxidation of methane to methanol (DOMTM) is attractive for the increasing industrial demand of feedstock. In this review, the latest advances in heterogeneous catalysis and plasma catalysis for DOMTM are summarized, with the aim to pinpoint the differences between both, and to provide some insights into their reaction mechanisms, as well as the implications for future development of highly selective catalysts for DOMTM.

Investigating the innate selectivity issues of methane to methanol: consideration of an aqueous environment

The higher reactivity of the methanol product over the methane reactant for the direct oxidation of methane to methanol is explored. C-H activation, C-O coupling, and C-OH coupling are investigated as key steps in the selective oxidation of methane using DFT. These elementary steps are initially considered in the gas phase for a variety of fcc (111) pristine metal surfaces. Methanol is found to be consistently more reactive for both C-H activation and subsequent oxidation steps. With an aqueous environment being understood experimentally to have a profound effect on the selectivity of this process, these steps are also considered in the aqueous phase by ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. The water solvent is modelled explicity, with each water molecule given the same level of theory as the metal surface and surface species. Free energy profiles for these steps are generated by umbrella sampling. It is found that an aqueous environment has a considerable effect on the kinetics of the elementary steps yet has little effect on the methane/methanol selectivity-conversion limit. Despite this, we find that the aqueous phase promotes the C-OH pathway for methanol formation, which could enhance the selectivity for methanol formation over that of other oxygenates.

Activation of the methane C–H bond by Al- and Ga-doped graphenes: a DFT investigation

The potential of Al- and Ge-embedded graphene to activate the C–H bond of CH4 in the presence of a N2O molecule was studied using DFT calculations.

Lanthanum modified Fe-ZSM-5 zeolites for selective methane oxidation with H2O2

Lanthanum modified Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst can both increase selective methane oxidation performance and decrease H2O2 consumption.

The accuracy challenge of the DFT-based molecular assignment of 13C MAS NMR characterization of surface intermediates in zeolite catalysis

The influence of the model and method choice on the DFT predicted ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of zeolite surface methoxide species has been systematically analyzed. Twelve ¹³C NMR chemical shift calculation protocols on full periodic and hybrid periodic-cluster DFT calculations with varied structural relaxation procedures are examined. The primary assessment of the accuracy of the computational protocols has been carried out for the Si-O(CH₃)-Al surface methoxide species in ZSM-5 zeolite with well-defined experimental NMR parameters (chemical shift, δ(¹³C) value) as a reference. Different configurations of these surface intermediates and their location inside the ZSM-5 pores are considered explicitly. The predicted δ value deviates by up to ±0.8 ppm from the experimental value of 59 ppm due to the varied confinement of the methoxide species at different zeolite sites (model accuracy). The choice of the exchange-correlation functional (method accuracy) introduces ±1.5 ppm uncertainty in the computed chemical shifts. The accuracy of the predicted ¹³C NMR chemical shifts for the computational assignment of spectral characteristics of zeolite intermediates has been further analyzed by considering the potential intermediate species formed upon methane activation by Cu/ZSM-5 zeolite. The presence of Cu species in the vicinity of surface methoxide increases the prediction uncertainty to ±2.5 ppm. The full geometry relaxation of the local environment of an active site at an appropriate level of theory is critical to ensure a good agreement between the experimental and computed NMR data. Chemical shifts (δ) calculated via full geometry relaxation of a cluster model of a relevant portion of the zeolite lattice site are in the best agreement with the experimental values. Our analysis indicates that the full geometry optimization of a cluster model at the PBE0-D3/6-311G(d,p) level of theory followed by GIAO/PBE0-D3/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations is the most suitable approach for the calculation of ¹³C chemical shifts of zeolite surface intermediates.

Dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde with nitrous oxide over the metal-organic framework NU-1000: a density functional theory study

The conversion of ethanol to more valuable hydrocarbon compounds receives great attention in chemical industries because it could diminish the dependency on petroleum as raw material. We investigate the catalytic performance of Fe-supported MOF NU-1000 for the dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde with nitrous oxide (N2O) by deriving the relevant reaction profiles with density functional theory calculations. In the proposed mechanism, the activation barrier of the rate-determining step is almost four times lower in the presence of N2O than without it. The supported NU-1000 framework plays also important role since it facilitates electron transfers and stabilizes all species along the reaction coordinate. When considering the catalytic activity of tetravalent metal centers (Zr, Hf and Ti) substituted into NU-1000 it is found that their activity decreases in the order Hf ≥ Zr > Ti, based on activation energies and turnover frequencies (TOF). Concerning MOF linkers, we show that the catalytic activity is not further improved by functionalizing NU-1000 with either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing organic groups.

The mechanism and ligand effects of single atom rhodium supported on ZSM-5 for the selective oxidation of methane to methanol

The mechanism for the partial oxidation of methane to methanol on single atom rhodium supported on ZSM-5 is investigated by DFT. The most favoured mechanism for methane activation is shown to be via oxidative addition at an undercoordinated rhodium metal centre and not through a typical metal oxo intermediate. The formation of a C-OH bond, and not methane activation, is found to be the rate determining step. CO coordinated to the rhodium centre is observed to strongly promote this bond formation. Water is required in the system to help prevent catalyst poisoning by CO, which greatly hinders the methane activation step, and to protonate an intermediate RhOOH species. These results suggest that more focus is required on methyl-oxygen bond formation and that exclusive consideration of methane activation will not completely explain some methane partial oxidation systems.

Selective Oxidation of Methane over Fe-Zeolites by In Situ Generated H2O2

Liquid-phase selective oxidation of methane into methane oxygenates, including methanol and formic acid, with molecular oxygen was investigated using Fe-zeolites and Pd/activated carbon in the presence of molecular hydrogen as a reducing agent. Various Fe-zeolites such as Fe-ZSM-5, Fe-mordenite, Fe-β, Fe-Y, and Fe-ferrierite were prepared by ion-exchange and compared for this reaction. Among them, Fe-ZSM-5 was selected for further study because this catalyst showed high activity in the selective oxidation of methane with relatively less leaching. Further, the effect of reaction temperature, pH, and the amount of catalyst was examined, and detailed investigations revealed that the leached Fe species, which were facilitated in the presence of acid, were mainly responsible for methane oxidation under the given reaction conditions.

Approaches for Selective Oxidation of Methane to Methanol

Methane activation chemistry, despite being widely reported in literature, remains to date a subject of debate. The challenges in this reaction are not limited to methane activation but extend to stabilization of the intermediate species. The low C-H dissociation energy of intermediates vs. reactants leads to CO2 formation. For selective oxidation, nature presents methane monooxygenase as a benchmark. This enzyme selectively consumes methane by breaking it down into methanol. To assemble an active site similar to monooxygenase, the literature reports Cu-ZSM-5, Fe-ZSM-5, and Cu-MOR, using zeolites and systems like CeO2/Cu2O/Cu. However, the trade-off between methane activation and methanol selectivity remains a challenge. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and spectroscopic studies indicate catalyst reducibility, oxygen mobility, and water as co-feed as primary factors that can assist in enabling higher selectivity. The use of chemical looping can further improve selectivity. However, in all systems, improvements in productivity per cycle are required in order to meet the economical/industrial standards.

Cu oxo nanoclusters for direct oxidation of methane to methanol: formation, structure and catalytic performance

Cu oxo nanoclusters hosted in microporous solids have emerged in the past decades as promising materials for catalyzing the selective conversion of methane to methanol.