Abstract:

Direct carbonylation of methane on silica-supported noble metal catalysts was tentatively investigated by using temperature programmed pulse reaction (TPPR), constant temperature pulse reaction (CTPR) and surface reaction of probe molecules CH3I (SRPM). An important approach is to split the overall reaction into two reaction steps occurring under moderate conditions. Methane decomposition on transition metal surface was first employed to form surface carbonaseous species. Then CO was introduced to interact with surface carbonaceous species to produce aldehyde. In such a two-step route the thermodynamic limitations can be overcome and the direct carbonylation of methane may be effectively achieved. This reaction is an attractively novel route for the utilization of methane. Optimization of this process might result in a new route for effective ultilization of methane.

Key words: Carbonylation of methane, Noble metals catalysts, Ethanal formation