Researchers have achieved a milestone in chemical science by converting methane, the primary component of natural gas, directly into a bioactive pharmaceutical compound. The work was led by Martín Fañanás at the Centre for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials at the University of Santiago de Compostela, offering a new path for turning one of the world’s most stable hydrocarbons into high-value chemicals.
The study demonstrates for the first time the synthesis of the hormone therapy compound dimestrol directly from methane, according to research reported by ScienceDaily. The achievement signals a potential shift away from simply burning natural gas for heat and electricity, toward upgrading it into complex and commercially valuable products.
Methane is abundant but notoriously unreactive, making it difficult to transform into useful chemical building blocks. For decades, scientists have attempted to activate methane efficiently without producing large amounts of unwanted byproducts. The team’s approach centers on a reaction known as allylation, which attaches an allyl group to the methane molecule. That addition creates a functional handle that chemists can use to construct more sophisticated molecules in later steps.
A major hurdle in previous attempts has been controlling side reactions, particularly chlorination, which reduces efficiency and creates waste. To address this, the researchers engineered a specialized iron-based supramolecular catalyst. The system stabilizes reactive radical intermediates through a network of hydrogen bonds, guiding the reaction toward selective allylation while suppressing competing pathways.
The process also stands out for its sustainability profile. Unlike many catalytic systems that depend on rare or toxic metals, this method uses iron, an abundant and inexpensive element. The reaction operates under relatively mild conditions and is powered by LED light, reducing overall energy requirements.
Beyond dimestrol, the strategy could enable the production of a wide range of pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals directly from methane, ethane, and propane. The work forms part of a broader European Research Council funded initiative aimed at upgrading natural gas components into higher-value products.
If scaled successfully, the technology could contribute to a more circular chemical economy, reducing reliance on traditional petrochemical feedstocks while extracting far greater value from existing natural gas resources.
The study has been published here.