Researchers realize direct methane to acetic acid conversion under mild conditions

The direct conversion of methane (CH4) into high-value-added multi-carbon (C2+) oxygenates, such as acetic acid (CH3COOH), under mild conditions offers a promising way to upgrade natural gas into transportable liquid chemicals. However, achieving this transformation efficiently remains a major challenge due to strong C-H bonds in methane, the difficulty of oxygen (O2) activation, and the low selectivity of C-C coupling reactions.