https://www.selleckchem.com/pr....oducts/chir-99021-ct
Mass-selected Ta8O2+ cluster ions catalyze the transformation of methane in a gas-phase ion trap experiment via nonoxidative coupling into ethane and H2, which is a prospective reaction for the generation of valuable chemicals on an industrial scale. Systematic variation of the reaction conditions and the isotopic labeling of methane by deuterium allow for an unambiguous identification of a catalytic cycle. Comparison with the proposed catalytic cycle for tantalum-doped silica catalysts reveals surprising similarities as