Thermal activation of methane by tetranuclear [V4O10]+

(Figure Presented) Hand in hand: In a combination of experimental (mass spectrometry) and theoretical (density functional theory) studies [V 4O10]+ is described as the first polynuclear transition-metal oxide capable of activating methane at room temperature (see picture). The [V4O10]+ cation can be considered a prototype of oxide clusters of early 3d transition metals. © 2006 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.