Understanding Methane Aromatization on a Zn‐Modified High‐Silica Zeolite

Abstract

It takes two: A high level of conversion of 13C atoms of methane into the products of methane/propane coaromatization on zeolite Zn/H-BEA has been demonstrated by 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopic analysis and GC-MS. The isotope-labeling experiments show the mechanism consists of the methylation of aromatic compounds formed from the propane followed by ring-expansion/contraction (see scheme).