Reaction mechanism of methanol-to-hydrocarbons conversion: Fundamental and application

As  a significant reaction in heterogeneous catalysis,  methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) conversion supplies a sustainable way for  the production of important platform chemicals, e.g., olefins,  gasoline and aromatics. Although many commercial MTO plants have  already been operated in China recently, the catalytic efficiency, i.e.,  the olefins selectivity and the catalyst lifetime still need to be  improved. Consequently, extensive attentions have been attracted to the  fundamental insights into the reaction mechanism to provide the guidance  for catalyst design and optimization. In this review, recent progress  in the reaction mechanism of MTH reaction, including the formation and  evolution of the first C–C bond species, is emphasized. Based on the  reaction mechanism, the catalyst design and optimization for enhancing  the target product selectivity and promoting the catalyst lifetime,  which are still missed in recent reviews, are also highlighted. The  present review will provide a theoretical reference for understanding  the reaction mechanism of MTO reaction and shed a light on the  development of highly efficient MTO catalysts.