Abiotic methanogenesis from organosulphur compounds under ambient conditions

Frederik Althoff, Kathrin Benzing, Peter Comba, Colin McRoberts, Derek R. Boyd, Steffen Greiner and Frank Keppler ()
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Frederik Althoff: Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234-236
Kathrin Benzing: Anorganisch-Chemisches Institut, University of Heidelberg, INF 270
Peter Comba: Anorganisch-Chemisches Institut, University of Heidelberg, INF 270
Colin McRoberts: Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane
Derek R. Boyd: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queenńs University Belfast
Steffen Greiner: Centre for Organismal Studies, Im Neuenheimer Feld 360
Frank Keppler: Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234-236

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Methane in the environment is produced by both biotic and abiotic processes. Biomethanation involves the formation of methane by microbes that live in oxygen-free environments. Abiotic methane formation proceeds under conditions at elevated temperature and/or pressure. Here we present a chemical reaction that readily forms methane from organosulphur compounds under highly oxidative conditions at ambient atmospheric pressure and temperature. When using iron(II/III), hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid as reagents, S-methyl groups of organosulphur compounds are efficiently converted into methane. In a first step, methyl sulphides are oxidized to the corresponding sulphoxides. In the next step, demethylation of the sulphoxide via homolytic bond cleavage leads to methyl radical formation and finally to methane in high yields. Because sulphoxidation of methyl sulphides is ubiquitous in the environment, this novel chemical route might mimic methane formation in living aerobic organisms.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5205

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