ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors cover the fundamental aspects of direct utilization of methane including the thermodynamics features, catalysis, as well as kinetics involved for nonoxidative coupling of methane. The review discussed the role of zeolites as fluid catalytic cracking, as a gasoline making process; and hydro-cracking, as a middle distillate making process. To find out the mechanism involved in formation of benzene, the authors used isotopic methane and applied it in a pulse reaction technique. The authors found that there exists a synergetic effect between Mo monoor dimeric species and zeolite acidity for aromatization. The authors proposed that during of methane activation in presence of propane, first C4 species are formed which undergoes dimerization to form C8 species at the catalytic sites, with formation of single-ring aromatics.
