Methane Carbonylation with CO on Sulfated Zirconia:  Evidence from Solid-State NMR for the Selective Formation of Acetic Acid

Using 13C and 1H solid-state NMR it has been shown, that methane can be carbonylated with carbon monoxide to give acetic acid on solid acid catalyst, sulfated zirconia. The carbonylation occurs at 473−573 K with high selectivity and essential conversion. The reaction proceeds both in the absence and in the presence of molecular oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, the catalyst can be used for the carbonylation of further portion of methane without reactivation in air. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed. The reaction observed opens up new possibilities of using sulfated zirconia-based solid catalysts for the synthesis of acetic acid from methane and carbon monoxide.