Catalysis for Selected C1 Chemistry

Catalytic conversion of one-carbon (C1) molecules, such as CO, CO2, CH4, and CH3OH, into fuels and value-added chemicals is a vitally important process in the chemical industry because of its close correlation to energy and environmental implications. However, the selectivity control, energy saving, and emission reduction remain great challenges for C1 chemistry due to the complex and changeable conversion processes. Herein, we briefly summarize recent advances and milestones in conversion of C1 molecules in the last decade, particularly focusing on the new reaction processes, including thermal-driven reactions, such as direct methane to ethylene, CO2 hydrogenation, and oxide-zeolite process for syngas conversion, and mild-condition conversion processes, such as room-temperature methane conversion, electrochemical water-gas shift, electrocatalytic CO reduction to ethylene, and light-driven methanol to ethylene glycol. The challenges and prospects are also fully discussed toward the C1 chemistry for the basic and applied research in the future.