Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Catalysis02:50

Catalysis

30.0K
The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.
30.0K
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation02:17

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

3.8K
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
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...
3.8K
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation02:24

Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

8.9K
Introduction
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.
8.9K
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry01:17

Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

2.5K
The stereochemistry of electrocyclic reactions is strongly influenced by the orbital symmetry of the polyene HOMO. Under thermal conditions, the reaction proceeds via the ground-state HOMO.
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
2.5K
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation02:13

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

13.9K
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called 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...
13.9K
Radical Reactivity: Overview01:11

Radical Reactivity: Overview

2.6K
Radicals, the highly reactive species, gain stability by undergoing three different reactions. The first reaction involves a radical-radical coupling, in which a radical combines with another radical, forming a spin‐paired molecule. The second reaction is between a radical and a spin‐paired molecule, generating a new radical and a new spin‐paired molecule. The third reaction is radical decomposition in a unimolecular reaction, forming a new radical and a spin‐paired...
2.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Sulphur-affected microstructural evolution mechanism of WS<sub>2</sub>.

Nanoscale·2026
Same author

Phase selection behavior of nanosized GaIn liquid alloys governed by mixing enthalpy.

Nanoscale·2026
Same author

Beyond MPB engineering: enhanced piezoelectricity and thermal stability assisted by high-entropy design.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Covalency modulation doping enables durable high-voltage operation in NiO-based all-solid-state electrochromic devices.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Stabilizing active N species on support for enhancing ammonia synthesis.

National science review·2026
Same author

Probing Methane Coupling on Liquid Metal Indium: <i>In Situ</i> Elucidation of Active Sites.

JACS Au·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
10:57

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Published on: April 10, 2018

18.9K

Active Slingshot Geometry Site on Single-Atom La Catalyst Largely Promotes Oxidative Methane Coupling.

Lizhuo Wang1, Liwei Cao2, Ang Li2

  • 1Laboratory for Catalysis Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

ACS Central Science
|December 4, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a new catalyst strategy for oxidative methane coupling (OCM), converting methane to ethylene. A unique La-O-Mg "slingshot" geometry on MgO significantly boosts ethylene yields by activating lattice oxygen.

More Related Videos

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
08:40

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production

Published on: December 6, 2021

4.1K
Tuning the Acidity of Pt/ CNTs Catalysts for Hydrodeoxygenation of Diphenyl Ether
09:21

Tuning the Acidity of Pt/ CNTs Catalysts for Hydrodeoxygenation of Diphenyl Ether

Published on: August 17, 2019

9.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
10:57

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Published on: April 10, 2018

18.9K
Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
08:40

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production

Published on: December 6, 2021

4.1K
Tuning the Acidity of Pt/ CNTs Catalysts for Hydrodeoxygenation of Diphenyl Ether
09:21

Tuning the Acidity of Pt/ CNTs Catalysts for Hydrodeoxygenation of Diphenyl Ether

Published on: August 17, 2019

9.4K

Area of Science:

  • Catalysis
  • Materials Science
  • Chemical Engineering

Background:

  • Oxidative methane coupling (OCM) offers a direct route to convert methane to ethylene.
  • Industrial application is limited by low yields and poor mechanistic understanding.
  • Catalyst design requires strategies to improve performance and selectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To enhance oxidative methane coupling (OCM) performance through surface geometric modification.
  • To investigate the role of single La atoms on MgO in activating lattice oxygen.
  • To elucidate the reaction mechanism for improved catalyst design.

Main Methods:

  • Surface geometric modification using single La atoms on MgO (SA-La/MgO).
  • Characterization via *in situ* environmental electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy.
  • Comparison with bulk La2O3 particles on MgO.

Main Results:

  • Formation of a unique La-O-Mg "slingshot" geometry activating surface lattice oxygen.
  • Activated oxygen species initiate OCM, with vacancies replenished by dioxygen.
  • SA-La/MgO demonstrated doubled C2 yields and significantly elevated turnover frequency compared to La2O3 particles.
  • Structural integrity of single La atoms was preserved during the reaction.

Conclusions:

  • Atomic-scale geometric and electronic modifications are crucial for catalyst design in OCM.
  • The "slingshot" geometry provides a new mechanism for enhancing OCM performance.
  • SA-La/MgO presents a highly effective catalyst for methane-to-ethylene conversion.