The generation of aromatic benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) compounds from non-petroleum feedstocks is of particular interest for chemists in the eyes of sustainability. Herein, a novel synthesis of toluene catalyzed by GaN semiconductor nanowire arrays is reported. Using methane and methanol as starting materials, the GaN nanowire arrays can synergistically facilitate the facile generation of toluene under either photo-irradiation or thermal-conditions. The detailed computational studies unveiled different mechanisms involved for the photo- and thermal-toluene synthesis.

中文翻译：

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GaN纳米线催化甲烷甲醇一锅法合成甲苯

从可持续发展的角度来看，从非石油原料中生成芳香苯、甲苯和二甲苯 (BTX) 化合物是化学家特别感兴趣的。在此，报道了由 GaN 半导体纳米线阵列催化的甲苯的新型合成。使用甲烷和甲醇作为起始材料，GaN 纳米线阵列可以协同促进在光辐射或热条件下轻松生成甲苯。详细的计算研究揭示了光甲苯和热甲苯合成所涉及的不同机制。