@article {48765,
	title = {MnXWO4 nanostructure-based catalysts for single-step oxidation of cyclohexane and methane to oxygenates},
	journal = {ACS Applied Nano Materials},
	volume = {6},
	year = {2023},
	month = {APR},
	pages = {7245-7258},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	Activation of the C-H bond in cyclohexane (CYH) and methane is a crucial step to obtain desirable oxygenated products using nanostructured catalyst and is a great challenge and an efficient route to mitigate the inauspicious effects of climate change. The active sites were identified using XRD, HR-TEM, SEM, N2 sorption analysis, TPR, Raman, XPS, TGA, in situ DRIFT, XAS, etc. In optimal reaction conditions, 46\% of CYH was converted into adipic acid (AA) on MnxWO4 nanostructures within 6 h. The recyclability test confirmed the catalyst heterogeneity, which revealed no appreciable loss of catalytic activity even after three consecutive reactions. In situ DRIFT study reveals that CYH is oxidized to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol (KA oil) and is further oxidized to AA via carboxylate intermediates. DFT studies disclosed that MnOx species are responsible for the C-H activation of CYH, and the Mn2+/Mn3+ redox centers play a vital role in the absorption of KA oil to form AA. Herein, we demonstrated the significant role of the {\textquoteleft}{\textquoteleft}MnOx{\textquoteright}{\textquoteright} species and that adequate Lewis and Bronsted acidic sites, redox centers of (Mn2+/Mn3+), and lattice oxygen are accountable for the CYH conversion toward the AA. Additionally, we have reported the oxidation of methane to methanol (146 mu mole per gram of catalyst) in the presence of water at 75 degrees C without over-oxidation products.</p>
},
	keywords = {Adipic Acid, C-H bond activation, Cyclohexane oxidation, methane activation, MnOx chain, Redox center},
	doi = {10.1021/acsanm.3c00319},
	author = {Prabu, Marimuthu and Manikandan, Marimuthu and Samal, Pragnya Paramita and Gurrala, Lakshmi Prasad and Mekala, Siva Prasad and Archana, Ramakrishnan and Nayak, Chandrani and Bhattacharyya, D. and Jha, S. N. and Krishnamurty, Sailaja and Raja, Thirumalaiswamy}
}
@article {49587,
	title = {Deciphering the intricate mechanisms behind the selective oxidation of methane to C1 and C2 oxygenates over FeAu/γ-Al2O3 catalysts},
	journal = {Chemical Engineering Journal},
	volume = {512},
	year = {2025},
	month = {MAY},
	pages = {162510},
	type = {Article},
	abstract = {<p>
	In this work, we demonstrate an eco-benign synthesis protocol for preparing gold nanoparticles and the role of the strong interaction between gold nanoparticles and iron oxide in FeAu/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts that render it an anionic (Au delta-) character while tailoring them in a smaller size. The multifunctional FeAu/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst selectively produces ethanol (95 \% selectivity, similar to 240 mu mol(-1) cat) at a mild temperature of 75 degrees C without the addition of co-reactants during liquid phase methane oxidation with molecular oxygen. Conversely, Au/gamma-Al2O3 and Fe/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts exhibited high selectivity for CH3OH and HCHO. A high dispersion accompanied by strong electronic interaction between the Au delta{\textendash}FeOx, as corroborated by diverse techniques, enables methane activation across the interface and coupling on the gold nanoparticles, which are responsible for the markedly improved formation of ethanol. Furthermore, in situ DRIFTS studies and DFT investigations point to a reaction mechanism of coupling of CH2OH and CH3 intermediates as the most likely route for ethanol formation.</p>
},
	keywords = {Anionic gold catalysts, Au-FeOx synergism, C-H bond activation, Ethanol, Methane oxidation, Methanol},
	issn = {1385-8947},
	doi = {10.1016/j.cej.2025.162510},
	author = {Prabu, Marimuthu and Manikandan, Marimuthu and Rengam, B. Sathya Sai and Ramakrishnan, Archana and Raja, Abhishekram and Urkude, Rajashri R. and Ghosh, Biplab and Varghese, Jithin John and Raja, Thirumalaiswamy}
}
