Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Methane Hydrate Crystallization on Sessile Water Droplets
Published on: May 26, 2021
Gas-phase synthesis and characterization of CH4-loaded hydroquinone clathrates
Jong-Won Lee1, Yongjae Lee, Satoshi Takeya
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Kongju National University, Chungnam 331-717, Korea.
Abstract:
A CH(4)-loaded hydroquinone (HQ) clathrate was synthesized via a gas-phase reaction using the alpha-form of crystalline HQ and CH(4) gas at 12 MPa and room temperature. Solid-state (13)C cross-polarization/magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR and Raman spectroscopic measurements confirm the incorporation of CH(4) molecules into the cages of the HQ clathrate framework. The chemical analysis indicates that about 69% of the cages are filled by CH(4) molecules, that is, 0.69 CH(4) per three HQ molecules. Rietveld refinement using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data shows that the CH(4)-loaded HQ clathrate adopts the beta-form of HQ clathrate in a hexagonal space group R3 with lattice parameters of a = 16.6191 A and c = 5.5038 A. Time-resolved synchrotron XRD and quadrupole mass spectroscopic measurements show that the CH(4)-loaded HQ clathrate is stable up to 368 K and gradually transforms to the alpha-form by releasing the confined CH(4) gases between 368-378 K. Using solid-state (13)C CP/MAS NMR, the reaction kinetics between the alpha-form HQ and CH(4) gas is qualitatively described in terms of the particle size of the crystalline HQ.
Related Concept Videos
Hydrolysis of Chlorobenzene to Phenol: Dow Process
Acid Halides to Carboxylic Acids: Hydrolysis
As shown below, the mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack by water at the carbonyl carbon to form a tetrahedral intermediate. This is followed by the reformation of the carbon–oxygen π bond along with the departure of a halide ion. A final proton transfer step yields carboxylic acid...
Aldehydes and Ketones with HCN: Cyanohydrin Formation Overview
Radical Formation: Homolysis

