High-value conversion of methane via mild conditions towards C-N coupling

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Methane, a key carbon resource, is challenging to activate due to stable C-H bonds.
• Conventional methane conversion methods require high temperatures, leading to significant energy consumption and carbon emissions.
• Mild methane conversion is crucial for sustainable chemical production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review recent advancements in solar-driven methane upgrading.
• To explore principles, catalyst design, reaction systems, and conversion pathways for mild methane activation.
• To highlight methane-involved C-N coupling for synthesizing nitrogen-containing compounds.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on solar-driven methane conversion technologies.
• Analysis of catalyst design strategies for efficient methane activation.
• Discussion of various reaction systems and conversion pathways.
• Examination of advanced techniques like *in situ* characterization and data-driven methods.

Main Results:

• Summary of progress in solar-driven methane upgrading under mild conditions.
• Identification of effective catalysts and reaction systems for methane conversion.
• Demonstration of feasibility for methane-involved C-N coupling reactions.
• Insights into mechanism studies and catalyst screening using advanced techniques.

Conclusions:

• Solar-driven methane upgrading offers a promising pathway for sustainable chemical feedstock utilization.
• Mild conversion conditions are achievable and advantageous over traditional high-temperature processes.
• Future research should focus on optimizing catalysts and reaction systems for efficient C-N coupling and valuable product synthesis.