Progress in Developing a Structure-Activity Relationship for the Direct Aromatization of Methane

Vollmer, Ina; Yarulina, Irina; Kapteijn, Freek; Gascon, Jorge

Progress in Developing a Structure-Activity Relationship for the Direct Aromatization of Methane

Files

Vollmer et al.2.pdf (1.32 MB)

Type

Article

Authors

Vollmer, Ina
Yarulina, Irina
Kapteijn, Freek
Gascon, Jorge

KAUST Department

Chemical Engineering Program
KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division

Online Publication Date

2018-07-26

Print Publication Date

2019-01-09

Date

2018-07-26

Abstract

To secure future supply of aromatics, methane is a commercially interesting alternative feedstock. Direct conversion of methane into aromatics combines the challenge of activating one of the strongest C−H bonds in all hydrocarbons with the selective aromatization over zeolites. To address these challenges, smart catalyst and process design are a must. And for that, understanding the most important factors leading to successful methane C−H bond activation and selective aromatization is needed. In this review, we summarize mechanistic insight that has been gained so far not only for this reaction, but also for other similar processes involving aromatization reactions over zeolites. With that, we highlight what can be learnt from similar processes. In addition, we provide an overview of characterization tools and strategies, which are useful to gain structural information about this particular metal-zeolite system at reaction conditions. Here we also aim to inspire future characterization work, by giving an outlook on characterization strategies that have not yet been applied for the methane dehydroaromatization catalyst, but are promising for this system.

Citation

Vollmer I, Yarulina I, Kapteijn F, Gascon J (2018) Progress in Developing a Structure-Activity Relationship for the Direct Aromatization of Methane. ChemCatChem 11: 39–52. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201800880.

Acknowledgements

Financial support from the Sabic-NWO CATC1CHEM CHIPP project is gratefully acknowledged. We especially thank Dr. Christoph Dittrich (SABIC), Dr. Frank Mostert (SABIC) and Dr. T. Alexander Nijhuis (SABIC) for helpful discussion.