Utilization of Natural Gases as Inexpensive Feedstocks for Fine Chemical Synthesis Through Photocatalysis

Abstract

Natural gases such as CO, CO2, ethylene, acetylene, methane, and ethane are inexpensive and available in virtually unlimited amounts, which can be used as substitutes for limited fossil fuel resources, making them appealing candidates as C1 and C2 feedstocks for sustainable chemical synthesis. It is evident that recent years have witnessed significant progress in chemical synthesis starting from natural gases. However, the reaction patterns developed are still limited, and any attempt at using natural gases as raw materials in synthetic endeavors must cope with serious challenges, including the inert reactivity and difficulty of operation. For instance, the utilization of methane in organic synthesis still represents a “Holy Grail.” Photocatalysis has witnessed dramatic developments over the past decade which provides enormous opportunities for new catalytic synthetic methodology development using natural gases. Beyond any reasonable doubt, spectacular advances have been made around transition-metal-catalysis, electrochemical, and heterogeneous catalysis involving gaseous reagents. However, the purpose of this chapter is to focus on the most important developments in fine chemical synthesis using natural gases through photochemical transformations, especially strategies for the formation of C-C bonds, the most fundamental linkages in organic molecules.