CO‐Assisted Direct Methane Conversion into C1 and C2 Oxygenates over ZSM‐5 Supported Transition and Platinum Group Metal Catalysts Using Oxygen as an Oxidant

Abstract Conversion of methane towards chemical feedstocks such as oxygenates and hydrocarbons has been studied along with the development of natural gas technology. In this study, CO‐assisted direct conversion of methane into C 1 and C 2 oxygenates was demonstrated over ZSM‐5 supported transition and platinum group metal catalysts. Besides previously investigated Rh, other platinum group metals (e. g., Ru and Ir) were found to be a potential element as the catalyst. Presence of CO was critical for the reaction, which would work as a ligand, a reductant, and a reactant. On the other hand, the competing undesired CO oxidation toward CO 2 was found to be the major issue. Partial oxidation toward methanol or formic acid (C 1 oxygenates formation) was parallel to oxidative carbonylation to acetic acid (C 2 oxygenate formation).