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Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Predicting Catalyst Extrudate Breakage Based on the Modulus of Rupture

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Published on: May 13, 2018

Multifunctional metal-based catalysts for selective oxidation of small molecules.

Xiaqing Wang^1,2, Xiaoxing Wang¹, Xiujuan Gao¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Coal Conversion, Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Science, Taiyuan 030001, China. wangxx@sxicc.ac.cn.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)

|January 27, 2026

Summary

This review explores selective oxidation, a green technology for converting small molecules into valuable oxygenates. It highlights metal-based catalysts and synergistic systems for efficient methane and methanol upgrading into high-value chemicals.

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Area of Science:

Catalysis
Green Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Selective oxidation is crucial for converting small molecules into valuable oxygenates for chemicals and fuels.
Metal-based catalysts are vital for oxygen activation and tunable electronic properties in oxidation reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review selective oxidation reactions from methane to methanol and dimethyl ether upgrading.
To discuss catalyst design strategies for efficient and selective oxidation.

Main Methods:

Exploration of C-H and O-H bond activation and C-O chain growth mechanisms.
Focus on multifunctional synergistic catalytic systems with integrated active sites.
Discussion of catalyst design through atomic-level control, interface engineering, and multicomponent composites.

Main Results:

Active site design critically influences oxygen species behavior and intermediate transformation pathways.
Catalyst structure significantly impacts reaction mechanisms and dynamic pathways.
Multifunctional synergistic catalysts offer an effective strategy for managing complex oxidation reactions.

Conclusions:

Rational design of catalysts, considering active sites and interfaces, is key to efficient selective oxidation.
Future directions involve addressing challenges in catalyst design for improved selectivity and efficiency.