CO₂ Methanation via Amino Alcohol Relay Molecules Employing a Ruthenium Nanoparticle/Metal Organic Framework Catalyst

Abstract

Methanation of carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) is attractive within the context of a renewable energy refinery. Herein, we report an indirect methanation method that harnesses amino alcohols as relay molecules in combination with a catalyst comprising ruthenium nanoparticles (NPs) immobilized on a Lewis acidic and robust metal-organic framework (MOF). The Ru NPs are well dispersed on the surface of the MOF crystals and have a narrow size distribution. The catalyst efficiently transforms amino alcohols to oxazolidinones (upon reaction with CO₂ ) and then to methane (upon reaction with hydrogen), simultaneously regenerating the amino alcohol relay molecule. This protocol provides a sustainable, indirect way for CO₂ methanation as the process can be repeated multiple times.