Reaction mechanism of methanol-to-hydrocarbons conversion: Fundamental and application

As a significant reaction in heterogeneous catalysis, methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) conversion supplies a sustainable way for the production of important platform chemicals, e.g., olefins, gasoline and aromatics. Although many commercial MTO plants have already been operated in China recently, the catalytic efficiency, i.e., the olefins selectivity and the catalyst lifetime still need to be improved. Consequently, extensive attentions have been attracted to the fundamental insights into the reaction mechanism to provide the guidance for catalyst design and optimization. In this review, recent progress in the reaction mechanism of MTH reaction, including the formation and evolution of the first C–C bond species, is emphasized. Based on the reaction mechanism, the catalyst design and optimization for enhancing the target product selectivity and promoting the catalyst lifetime, which are still missed in recent reviews, are also highlighted. The present review will provide a theoretical reference for understanding the reaction mechanism of MTO reaction and shed a light on the development of highly efficient MTO catalysts.