METHANE ACTIVATION BY METHAL-FREE RADICAL CATIONS:EXPERIMENTAL INSIGHT INTO THE REACTION INTERMEDIATE

A precise jab to methane: The SO2.+ radical cation (see figure) effectively activates CH4 at room temperature through a [H3C.???HOSO+] methyl intermediate isolated in the gas phase by mass spectrometry. Methanol and ionized methyl hydrogen sulfoxylate, CH3OSOH.+, are formed by selective, direct attack of the incipient methyl radical at the O atom of the intermediate. The reaction shows radical and charge effects in the activation of methane by metal-free radical cations.