Preface
Methane, which is a ubiquitous reservoir of chemical energy, is very thermodynamically stable, and its successful utilization in chemical synthesis requires quite
significant kinetic barriers to be surmounted. Despite this, methane can be directly
converted into high-value-added chemicals such as methanol, aromatic hydrocarbons, and olefins. This book deals principally with the direct conversion of methane
to produce chemicals with C–O and C–C bonds, meaning that processes involving
synthesis gas as an intermediate are not considered. Achieving the direct conversion
of methane is a great challenge; however, the development of direct methane
conversion processes is essential from both economic development and energy
security points of view. Many researchers have sought to convert methane into
chemicals via various catalytic systems involving heterogeneous, homogeneous,
and biological catalysts by using advanced experimental and theoretical techniques
together with various strategies. However, industrial processes for the direct conversion of methane to chemicals have not yet been developed. For scientists and
engineers, the establishment of next-generation processes for direct methane conversion represents a grand challenge in chemistry, independent of trends in the
larger world such as the discovery of shale gas and the drive to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions. The authors are of the view that the development of direct
methane conversion is crucial, and is highly preferable to the use of carbon dioxide,
the most thermodynamically stable chemical, as a chemical feedstock, as carbon
dioxide conversion inherently requires high energy consumption.
To convert methane into value-added chemicals using heterogeneous, homogeneous, or biological catalysts requires addressing questions such as:
1. How can catalysts activate methane for the formation of C–O and C–C bonds?
2. What determines the selective formation of C–O or C–C bonds?
3. Can the knowledge of methane chemistry be used to develop new catalytic
processes suitable for industry?
The aim of this book is to discuss the highlights of the various investigations that
have been conducted in this field, with an emphasis on the fundamental chemistry
that has been found to be involved in heterogeneous, homogeneous, and
v
Methane, which is a ubiquitous reservoir of chemical energy, is very thermodynamically stable, and its successful utilization in chemical synthesis requires quite
significant kinetic barriers to be surmounted. Despite this, methane can be directly
converted into high-value-added chemicals such as methanol, aromatic hydrocarbons, and olefins. This book deals principally with the direct conversion of methane
to produce chemicals with C–O and C–C bonds, meaning that processes involving
synthesis gas as an intermediate are not considered. Achieving the direct conversion
of methane is a great challenge; however, the development of direct methane
conversion processes is essential from both economic development and energy
security points of view. Many researchers have sought to convert methane into
chemicals via various catalytic systems involving heterogeneous, homogeneous,
and biological catalysts by using advanced experimental and theoretical techniques
together with various strategies. However, industrial processes for the direct conversion of methane to chemicals have not yet been developed. For scientists and
engineers, the establishment of next-generation processes for direct methane conversion represents a grand challenge in chemistry, independent of trends in the
larger world such as the discovery of shale gas and the drive to reduce carbon
dioxide emissions. The authors are of the view that the development of direct
methane conversion is crucial, and is highly preferable to the use of carbon dioxide,
the most thermodynamically stable chemical, as a chemical feedstock, as carbon
dioxide conversion inherently requires high energy consumption.
To convert methane into value-added chemicals using heterogeneous, homogeneous, or biological catalysts requires addressing questions such as:
1. How can catalysts activate methane for the formation of C–O and C–C bonds?
2. What determines the selective formation of C–O or C–C bonds?
3. Can the knowledge of methane chemistry be used to develop new catalytic
processes suitable for industry?
The aim of this book is to discuss the highlights of the various investigations that
have been conducted in this field, with an emphasis on the fundamental chemistry
that has been found to be involved in heterogeneous, homogeneous, and
v