Affiliation:
1. aCentre for Sustainable Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S3, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Abstract
In this contribution, the homogeneously catalysed functionalization of methane is discussed. The most important transformations presented deal with oxidation to methanol and/or methanol derivatives (such as methyl sulfonate and methyl trifluoroacetate), carbo(n)(x)ylation to acetic acid and hydroperoxidation to methyl hydroperoxide. For these transformations, a wide variety of metal catalysts is used; from mercury and palladium to more Earth abundant metals such as copper, iron and vanadium.
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry