Currently the majority of carbon-based feedstocks come from fossil fuels of which there is a finite supply. Methane is an abundantly available carbon-based feedstock, with large amounts now available through fracking and renewable sources available from biogas plants. However, methane is not very chemically reactive. One of the remaining “grand challenges” in chemistry is the development of clean, efficient, affordable processes that allow methane to be converted to other high value molecules.

Highlighting the recent advances in methane activation and direct conversion processes this book discusses the progress and current state of the art for a wide variety of alternative methane activation and subsequent conversion processes, including homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic, electrocatalytic and pyrolytic systems. It is a useful resource for anyone working in green chemistry, catalysis and chemical engineering.