Nanostructured Oxide Catalysts for Oxidative Activation of Alkanes.

The valorization of light alkanes via catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) and selective oxidation is, with a few exemptions, still not solved. Oxide catalysts play a foremost role in these reactions. The control of the nanostructure brings new ways to tune their catalytic properties, but to date this has been little explored for alkane activation. This paper offers an overview of the applications of nanostructured oxide catalysts to oxidative activation of alkanes. Relevant examples of their unusual performance, the improvement of activity and selectivity attained by these oxides, and the new features brought by ordered mesoporous oxides, are discussed. Application of nanotechnology to oxides brings both new challenges and opportunities for catalytic applications. To make the most of it, a broad multidisciplinary approach, and bridging the lack of communication among the various research areas (electronics, materials, catalysis) involved, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]