Breakthrough process for directly converting methane to methanol,

Jay OwenEarth Systems Science

Breakthrough process for directly converting methane to methanol: New process could lead to production of methanol or acetic acid through more energy efficient, low-cost and environmentally friendly ways

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171130133831.htm

The direct oxidation of methane — found in natural gas — into methanol at low temperatures has long been a holy grail. Now, researchers have found a breakthrough way to accomplish the feat using a heterogeneous catalyst and cheap molecular oxygen, according to a new article.