MEUH

The aim of the MEUH project is to achieve the direct and selective oxidation of methane to methanol using catalysts confined in a supramolecular structure. This major challenge deals with crucial energetic and environmental issues of the XXIth century, since methane resources are estimated to be more than 1000 times higher than annual energetic consumptions. Substantial amounts of methane are available, and its abundance makes it t attractive raw material for fuels and chemical synthesis. Nevertheless, methane is mainly found in remote areas and its use has been limited by the difficulties encountered in transportation of a flammable, low-temperature boiling gas. This highlights the need of onsite gas-to-liquid conversion. This would open the possibility of broad use for the production of highly valuable chemicals and/or clean fuels. This proposal presents a high-gain/high-risk balance as processes reported so far have failed. To achieve this highly challenging goal, a shift in paradigm is necessary and a new and ground breaking approach has to be proposed. We aim to demonstrate that supramolecular catalysts are not only elegant systems but can also lead to remarkable results, with potential application at the industrial level. Original supermolecules combining a binding pocket able to selectively complex methane and a catalytic site with C-H oxidation properties will be synthesised. Streamlining the cavity size and shape will prevent methanol recognition and its subsequent oxidation; hence, high efficiency and selectivity are expected. A better understanding of this phenomenon will be provided by quantum calculations; this will lead to the design of tailor-made nanoreactors presenting a confined medium for efficient catalysis. Scale-up of the process will be obtained through the immobilization of these catalysts on solid support.