Two-Step Methane Conversion to Higher Hydrocarbons: Comment on the Relevance of Metal–Carbon Bond Strength

Herein, data available in the literature for nonoxidative, two-step CH4 homologation over SiO2-supported transition metals are analyzed according to the principle of Sabatier. Volcano plots are constructed which provide empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that the metal–carbon bond strength is pivotal to determine catalyst efficiency, chain-growth probability, and selectivity to C+2 hydrocarbons.