Methane from benzene in argon dielectric barrier discharge

► Efficient on-line conversion of benzene to methane at room temperature. ► Absence of other H-atom donor suggests new type of chemistry. ► For parent loss > 90%, methane yield was ∼40% of limit due to H-atom availability. ► Surface moisture contributed OH radical for trace phenolic products' formation. ► This method may emerge as an exploitable tactic for pollutants' usable alterations.