Advances in Selective Oxidation of Methane

Selective oxidation of methane is one of the most challenging reactions in catalysis. Methane is a very stable molecule and requires high energy to be activated. Different approaches of single step methane conversion have been suggested to overcome this challenge. However, the current commercial process of methane conversion to methanol is via the indirect way, in which methane is first converted to synthesis gas in highly intensive energy step, and synthesis gas is then converted into methanol. The first step is responsible for 60% of the capital cost of the plant. There are enormous researches that have been conducted in a direct way and some good results have been achieved. This chapter will summarize the recent advances in the direct selective oxidation of methane to methanol.