Fig. 1: Activation strategies of natural gas C(sp3)–H bonds and small molecules by transition metal or main-group compounds.

a Transition metal complexes activating C(sp3)–H bonds of natural gas alkanes. b Representative examples of activating C–H bonds of natural gas alkanes by main-group compounds. c Representative examples of small molecular activation by main-group compounds. d Reactions of Lewis acid-carbene adducts with C–H bonds of natural gas alkanes. Mes = mesityl; Dipp = 2, 6-diisopropylphenyl; Dur = 2, 3, 5, 6-tetramethylphenyl; ORF = OC(CF3)3.