Non-Oxidative Coupling of Methane: Interplay of Catalyst Interface and Gas Phase Mechanisms

Seraphine B.X.Y. Zhang; Christophe Copéret

doi:10.2533/chimia.2023.206

Non-Oxidative Coupling of Methane: Interplay of Catalyst Interface and Gas Phase Mechanisms

Authors

Seraphine B.X.Y. Zhang Department Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5, CH-8093 Zurich https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7672-2753
Christophe Copéret Department Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5, CH-8093 Zurich https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9660-3890

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2023.206

PMID:

38047797

Keywords:

Carbon diffusion, Mars-van Krevelen mechanism, Metal carbides, Methane coupling

Abstract

Non-oxidative coupling of methane (NOCM) is a sought-after reaction that has been studied for decades. Harsh reaction conditions (T >800°C) in the face of limited catalyst stability lead to rapid catalyst deactivation and strong coking, preventing application thus far. Recent reports have shown the significance of an interplay of catalyst nature and reaction conditions, whereas metal carbides have prevailed to play a crucial role which involves incorporation of carbidic carbon in C₂H_x and aromatic products. This perspective gives an overview of proposed mechanistic pathways and considerations about experiment conditions in order to foster a rational catalyst design platform for NOCM.