Reactions of CO2 and ethane enable CO bond insertion for production of C3 oxygenates

Reacting CO₂ and ethane to synthesize value-added oxygenate molecules represents opportunities to simultaneously reduce CO₂ emissions and upgrade underutilized ethane in shale gas. Herein, we propose a strategy to produce C3 oxygenates using a tandem reactor. This strategy is achieved with a Fe₃Ni₁/CeO₂ catalyst (first reactor at 600-800 °C) for CO₂-assisted dehydrogenation and reforming of ethane to produce ethylene, CO, and H₂, and a RhCox/MCM-41 catalyst (second reactor at 200 °C) enabling CO insertion for the production of C3 oxygenates (propanal and 1-propanol) via the heterogeneous hydroformylation reaction at ambient pressure. In-situ characterization using synchrotron spectroscopies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the effect of Rh-Co bimetallic formation in facilitating the production of C3 oxygenates. The proposed strategy provides an opportunity for upgrading light alkanes in shale gas by reacting with CO₂ to produce aldehydes and alcohols.