A new generation of catalysts for activation and functionalization of light alkanes: Probing of catalyst / reactant interactions

Direct conversion or functionalisation of the highly unreactive methane molecule is one of the holy grails in chemistry. In spite of considerable research efforts worldwide, there is as yet no industrial process for the direct activation of CH4. One deca de ago, the group of Prof. Tilset at the University of Oslo developed a metal-organic complex able to activate methane at low temperatures. During the past 5 years, the catalysis group at the University of Oslo has worked on a project aimed at the incorpo ration these metal organic complexes into a microporous, metal-organic framework structure (Pt-MOFs). This project is now approaching a stage where Pt-MOFs that are sufficiently stable and have Pt in exposed position, are available. The next step will be to probe interactions between Pt and reactant molecules, and possibly to substitute the ligands around Pt to make it more reactive. We are therefore applying for a funds for performing these studies, one postdoc and infrared equipment for catalytic studie s.