Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Synthesis and Catalytic Performance of Gold Intercalated in the Walls of Mesoporous Silica
Published on: July 9, 2015
Thermal conversion of methane to formaldehyde promoted by gold in AuNbO3(+) cluster cations
Li-Na Wang1, Zhen-Xun Zhou, Xiao-Na Li
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510640 (P. R. China), Fax: (+86) 20-22236337.
Abstract:
In addition to generation of a methyl radical, formation of a formaldehyde molecule was observed in the thermal reaction of methane with AuNbO3(+) heteronuclear oxide cluster cations. The clusters were prepared by laser ablation and mass-selected to react with CH4 in an ion-trap reactor under thermal collision conditions. The reaction was studied by mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. The latter indicated that the gold atom promotes formaldehyde formation through transformation of an Au-O bond into an Au-Nb bond during the reaction.
Related Concept Videos
Multiple Halogenation of Methyl Ketones: Haloform Reaction
Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Alkynes to Aldehydes and Ketones: Hydroboration-Oxidation
One of the convenient methods for the preparation of aldehydes and ketones is via hydration of alkynes. Hydroboration-oxidation of alkynes is an indirect hydration reaction in which an alkyne is treated with borane followed by oxidation with alkaline peroxide to form an enol that rapidly converts into an aldehyde or a ketone. Terminal alkynes form aldehydes, whereas internal alkynes give ketones as the final product.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Formation of Halohydrin from Alkenes

