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Title: Ag II ‐Mediated Electrocatalytic Ambient CH 4 Functionalization Inspired by HSAB Theory
Abstract Although most class (b) transition metals have been studied in regard to CH4activation, divalent silver (AgII), possibly owing to its reactive nature, is the only class (b) high‐valent transition metal center that is not yet reported to exhibit reactivities towards CH4activation. We now report that electrochemically generated AgIImetalloradical readily functionalizes CH4into methyl bisulfate (CH3OSO3H) at ambient conditions in 98 % H2SO4. Mechanistic investigation experimentally unveils a low activation energy of 13.1 kcal mol−1, a high pseudo‐first‐order rate constant of CH4activation up to 2.8×103 h−1at room temperature and a CH4pressure of 85 psi, and two competing reaction pathways preferable towards CH4activation over solvent oxidation. Reaction kinetic data suggest a Faradaic efficiency exceeding 99 % beyond 180 psi CH4at room temperature for potential chemical production from widely distributed natural gas resources with minimal infrastructure reliance.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1955836
PAR ID:
10273810
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Volume:
60
Issue:
33
ISSN:
1433-7851
Page Range / eLocation ID:
p. 18152-18161
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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