Acid strength and solvation effects on methylation, hydride transfer, and isomerization rates during catalytic homologation of C1 species

► Both mesoporous solid acids and zeolites selectively form triptane from C1 species. ► Solid acids with weak acid sites and large micropores maximize triptane formation. ► Stronger acids favor isomerization and hydride transfer over methylation. ► Large micropores selectively solvate methylation and hydride transfer transition states.