Low‐Temperature Activation of Methane: It also Works Without a Transition Metal

Abstract

Abstract art: Bare [MgO]+ ions can activate methane in a thermal ion/molecule reaction to afford [MgOH]++CH3. as major products and Mg++CH3OH in a side reaction. In conjunction with ab initio calculations, the results strongly support an hydrogen-atom abstraction mechanism which is assisted by a metal–carbon interaction (see scheme). Hydrocarbons (except methane) can also be activated by the magnesium-oxide cluster [Mg2O2]+.