Similarities between Reactions of Methanol with MoxOy+ in the Gas Phase and over Real Catalysts

ICR studies of the interactions between methanol and the family of Mo x O y + ions ( x = 1−3, y = 1−9) in the gas phase are reported. Molybdenum oxide ions participate in four types of reactions with the CH 3 OH molecule that show rather profound similarities with the reactions of methanol over heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts containing molybdenum−oxygen sites. Molybdenum oxide ions with three metal atoms represent coupling of two and three hydrocarbon fragments of CH 3 OH to form longer hydrocarbon chains. The formation of acidic proton of Mo x O y H + ( x = 1−3, y = 2−9) was found in interactions with CH 3 OH 2 + and its solvates CH 3 OH 2 + ·(CH 3 OH) n with n = 1, 2. Acidic protons are able to provide coupling of hydrocarbon fragments of alcohol molecules to produce finally alkenes and alkanes.