Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Understanding and tackling the activity and selectivity issues for methane to methanol using single atom alloys
Rhys J Bunting1, Peter S Rice1, Zihao Yao1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG, UK. p.hu@qub.ac.uk.
Abstract:
The process for the direct oxidation of methane to methanol is investigated on single atom alloys using density functional theory. A catalyst search is performed across FCC metal single atom alloys. 7 single atom alloys are found as candidates and microkinetic modelling is performed. The activity and selectivity are remarkably improved over that of pure palladium metal, yet remain unideal.
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
Catalysis

