Metal-organic frameworks of vanadium as catalysts for conversion of methane to acetic acid.

A catalytic system combining the high activity of homogeneous catalysts and the ease of use of heterogeneous catalysts for methane activation is reported. The vanadium-containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) MIL-47 and MOF-48 are found to have high catalytic activity and chemical stability. They convert methane selectively to acetic acid with 70% yield (490 TON) based on K(2)S(2)O(8) as an oxidant. Isotopic labeling experiments showed that two methane molecules are converted to the produced acetic acid. The MOF catalysts are reusable and remain catalytically active for several recycling steps without losing their crystalline structures.