Metal cation–acidic proton bifunctional catalyst for methane activation: conversion of 13CH4 in the presence of ethylene over metal cations-loaded H-ZSM-5 Original Research Article

It has been investigated that 13CH4 reacts with ethylene over metal cations such as indium cations-loaded H-ZSM-5 to form singly 13C-labeled propylene (13C12C2H6) and hydrogen at 673 K. The heterolytic dissociation of CH bond in methane presumably proceeds by the reaction of methane with metal cations for the formation of CH3δ+ and metal hydride species, thus allowing the reaction of CH3δ+ with ethylene to form propylene and acidic protons. Metal cations are regenerated by the reaction of silver-hydride species with acidic protons, and hydrogen is simultaneously formed. Thus, bifunctionality of metal cations and acidic protons is essential for the activation of methane.