Methane oxidation using silica-supported N-bridged di-iron phthalocyanine catalyst

► Methane oxidation with a μ-nitrido iron phthalocyanine complex is investigated. ► Methyl hydroperoxide is identified as the primary reaction product of methane oxidation. ► The μ-nitrido iron phthalocyanine complex grafted on silica catalyst is highly unstable. ► Fe/SiO2 prepared by wet impregnation is as effective as the bio-mimetic catalyst studied. ► A reliable method CO2 analysis in both the gas and the aqueous phase is described.