Oxidative Coupling Reaction of Methane

Direct conversion of methane to desirable fuels and chemicals by its partial oxidation is an attractive subject from both academic and industrial points of view. In the last decade oxidative coupling of methane has been extensively investigated and the recent progress on refinement of catalyst for this reaction brings about a possibility of establishment of a economical process for production of gasoline from natural gas through oxidative coupling. In this paper a current R & D of catalytic chemistry for direct conversion of methane to ethylene and higher hydrocarbons is reviewed as well as the cross-coupling between methane and other hydrocarbons to valuable hydrocarbons using methane as C1 source with examples taken from our recent studies.