Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (LSK)

Hero LSK

The PSI Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry studies functioning catalysts for energy conversion and storage as well as for sustainable chemicals conversion.

methane_valorization_VUV

Watch them growing: New mechanistic insights into catalytic methane coupling

Methane valorization is a promising technology to utilize this platform compound to produce aromatics and hydrocarbons. Researchers from PSI and ETH Zürich unveiled this reaction mechanism and observed the molecular growth from the ground up. Besides stepwise CH3 addition,  novel routes involving the dimerization of resonantly stabilized propargyl (C3H3) radicals to benzene (C6H6) were identified. These mechanistic insights will aid the development of valorisation strategies.