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.