Selective synthesis of ethylbenzene and styrene by cross-coupling between toluene and methane over a lithium-promoted Y2O3–CaO catalyst

Isotope-labelling experiments have shown that toluene oxidative methylation using methane to form C8 hydrocarbons over a lithium promoted Y2O3–CaO catalyst involves a cross-coupling between the methyl and benzyl radicals on the surface.