Chlorine-mediated methane activation: an efficient photocatalytic pathway to valuable chemicals.

Methane (CH), a major component of natural gas, is both a valuable energy source and a potent greenhouse gas. Due to the remote locations of many CH reserves and the challenges of transportation, converting methane into liquid compounds under mild, sustainable conditions is highly desirable. Photocatalysis, a solar-driven technology, offers a promising approach for methane activation at ambient temperatures, avoiding issues like catalyst deactivation and product overoxidation associated with conventional high-temperature methods.