Recent development in in situ NMR study on heterogeneous catalysis: mechanisms of light alkane functionalisation.

In situ NMR studies of C(1)-C(5) light alkane activation and functionalisation in heterogeneous catalytic systems are overviewed. The results obtained from the NMR technique, particularly those quantitative ones, provide unique information on the activation of alkane molecules and the nature of relevant intermediates, leading to better understanding reaction mechanisms and designing catalysts. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012