Cross-metathesis of propane and methane: A catalytic reaction of C-C bond cleavage of a higher alkane by methane

Abstract

Methane, a building block for basic chemicals through its incorporation into alkanes: when a methane/propane mixture is passed over a tantalum hydride catalyst at 250°C, propane is transformed into two ethane molecules through the incorporation of one methane unit. This reaction corresponds to a cross-metathesis of propane and methane (see scheme; Alk = alkyl).