A proposal on a catalyst for the reaction methane + water => methanol + hydrogen

Abstract

Based on the concepts and vocabulary of the SET model of catalysis a discussion is performed on what properties should characterize a catalyst promoting a reaction such as the one in the title, i.e., the production of methanol from methane in a non-oxidative environment. It is found that the n1 vibration of water (3652 cm-1 ) and the ny4 vibration of methane (1306 cm-1) interact in resonance.