Autocatalytic induction period in zeolite-catalyzed methanol conversion

The autocatalytic induction period is the key feature of zeolite-catalyzed methanol conversion. Associated with the generation of the initial C–C bond, it has been an attractive topic of intense debate in the field of C1 chemistry for decades. While an in-depth understanding of the induction period of methanol conversion has not been achieved, in recent years, a host of works have emerged that provide new insight into the origination of the initial C−C bond, especially from the point of view of the activation of C1 species. Particularly, full-spectrum molecular routes of methanol conversion have been established, and the effects of in situ-produced H2O and zeolite local microenvironments have received increasing attention. In these contexts, this perspective condenses our critical view on the autocatalytic induction period of methanol conversion and highlights the challenges and opportunities of the local microenvironments under real working conditions for uncovering the complex reaction mechanism of zeolite catalysis.