Reacting CO2 with Light Alkanes to Value-Added Products.

Catalytic conversion of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) into value-added products is a promising strategy to mitigate global carbon emissions. Concurrently, the shale gas revolution has provided an abundant supply of light alkanes (methane, ethane, propane, and butane), presenting a unique opportunity to employ these underutilized hydrocarbons as an effective, low-cost hydrogen source for CO2 reduction. In this Perspective, we summarize past efforts, current state, and future opportunities for reacting CO2 with light alkanes to generate a diverse range of value-added products. Compared with direct alkane conversion, the introduction of CO2 fundamentally alters reaction thermodynamics and kinetics, enabling selective C-H and C-C bond activation while suppressing catalyst deactivation from coke formation. Building on decades of research in dry reforming and CO2-assisted dehydrogenation, recent advances in catalyst design have enabled CO2-assisted dehydrogenation processes that approach chemical equilibrium for the selective production of olefins and syngas. Importantly, advances in catalyst design and reactor engineering have further expanded the product scope beyond gas-phase (syngas and olefins) to include liquid-phase (oxygenates and aromatics), and solid-phase products (carbon nanomaterials). We highlight key catalyst design principles for controlling reaction pathways and discuss major challenges and opportunities in developing selective and versatile platforms for the simultaneous upgrading of CO2 and light alkanes.