| abstract |
Platinum(II) complexes and the use of these complexes for oxidation of methane to methyl sulfate are disclosed, the catalyst having, as ligands, a network based on aromatic N-heterocycles which has at least 2 coordinative nitrogen atoms per platinum atom, and the complex anion is selected from a halide, hydrogensulfate, hydrogensulfite, sulfate, sulfite, methylsulfate, methanol, water, hydroxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogencarbonate and carbonate. The catalyst enables a selective low-temperature oxidation of methane to methyl sulfate or methanol. The catalysts not only exhibit high activity, but can also be removed easily from the reaction mixture and reused over several runs without significant loss of activity. |