Direct Oxidation of Methane to a Methanol Derivative Using Molecular Oxygen

Abstract

A direct selective oxidation of methane to a methanol derivative with the catalysis of palladium acetate/benzoquinone/molybdovanado-phosphoric acid using molecular oxygen in trifluoroacetic acid has been suggested. Methyl trifluoroacetate is the only liquid product, and its highest yield could be obtained at 80–100 °C. The addition of perfluorooctane could improve the yield of methyl trifluoroacetate significantly. The reaction product can be easily separated from the reaction system, using the difference of boiling points.