Atmospheric-Pressure Continuous-Flow Methane Oxidation to Methanol and Acetic Acid Using H₂O₂ over the Au–Fe Catalyst

An enormous value proposition exists when molecules such as acetic acid and methanol are derived from natural gas. With abundant worldwide resources, the conversion of methane to methanol (M2M) by partial oxidation or to acetic acid through C-insertion is considered one of the most enterprising chemical transformations in catalysis. Methane partial oxidation using H2O2 as the oxidant is reported at high-pressure conditions with an excess of oxidant. In this work, significant catalytic challenges successfully tackled are the continuous partial oxidation of methane to methanol and acetic acid at atmospheric pressure. Under continuous flow and at atmospheric pressure, a modified silica-supported bimetallic (AuFeHS) catalyst catalyzed the conversion of methane to methanol using H2O2 with an impressive yield of 224 mmol/gFe+Au. Cofeeding of CO in the stream produces acetic acid, demonstrating a selectivity switch from methanol with an overall yield of 92 mmol/gFe+Au.