Detection of intermediates for diatomic [TaO]+ catalyzed gas-phase reaction of methane coupling to ethane and ethylene by ICP-MS/MS

Abstract

Abstract Intermediates in the gas-phase reaction of diatomic [TaO]+ with CH4 to generate ethane and ethylene have been explored using ICP-MS/MS complemented by high-level quantum chemical calculations. [TaOH]+, [TaOCH2]+, [TaOC2H6]+and [TaOC2H4]+ were identified and the formation pathways of them were discussed, revealing the mechanistic scenario for this oxidative coupling of methane to the C2 hydrocarbons process.