Direct catalytic conversion of methane to methanol in an aqueous medium by using copper-promoted Fe-ZSM-5

Iron copper zeolite (Fe-Cu-ZSM-5) with aqueous hydrogen peroxide is active for the selective oxidation of methane to methanol. Iron is involved in the activation of the carbon-hydrogen bond, while copper allows methanol to form as the major product. The catalyst is stable, re-usable and activates methane giving >90% methanol selectivity and 10% conversion in a closed catalytic cycle (see scheme). Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.