Researchers have finally unveiled the mechanism behind the conversion of methane into readily usable methanol in methanotrophic bacteria. The research could contribute to the future of fuel.The study published in the journal Science has found that the enzyme, present in the methanotrophic bacteria, responsible for the conversion of methane into methanol catalyses the reaction at a site that contains only one copper ion.The finding could lead to newly designed, human-made catalysts that can convert methane -- a highly potent greenhouse gas -- to readily usable methanol with the same effortless mechanism."The identity and structure of the metal ions responsible for catalysis have remained elusive for decades. Our study provides a major leap forward in understanding how bacteria methane-to-methanol conversion takes place," said Northwestern's Amy C. Rosenzweig, co-senior author of the study."By identifying the type of copper centre involved, we have laid the foundation for determining ...
