Direct conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons using AlBr3–HBr superacid catalyst

Abstract

The direct gas phase catalytic oligomerization of methane at temperatures ≤673 K has been demonstrated using AlBr₃-HBr superacid. The reaction produces C₂+ hydrocarbons and hydrogen in a single step at 1 atm in a continuous flow reactor at a nominal residence time of 60 s. The essentially complete conversion of methane appears to be due to protolytic activation of methane in the presence of H⁺AlBr₄⁻.