New catalyst for methane to methanol

Chemists in Germany have invented a new solid catalyst for converting methane to methanol. The system could eventually provide a smaller-scale alternative to current commercial methods for methanol production from natural gas, which rely on big, expensive industrial facilities for steam reforming of methane to syngas - typically so-called 'megamethanol' plants where there is a large supply of natural gas.  More...

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2009/August/10080902.asp