Understanding the failure of direct C-C coupling in the zeolite-catalyzed methanol-to-olefin process

(Figure Presented) You are the weakest link, goodbye! Many individual steps of the direct mechanisms in the methanol-to-olefin process are tied together in an integrated scheme, allowing a simple identification of the weakest links. Calculations show that a combined pathway from methanol directly to ethylene does not exist and no C-C bond can be formed directly. © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.