Nature of active sites in the oxidative coupling of methane to ethane over Li/MgO catalysts

The partial oxidation of methane to ethane over a model Li/MgO catalyst has been studied using combined surface science techniques/elevated pressure kinetic measurements. The results indicate that [Li+O−] centers are not likely directly involved in the methane activation step. Rather, addition of lithium promotes the production of F centers which are considered to be responsible for this key step in the methane coupling reaction.