Introduction
We have applied artificial intelligence principles to the problem of
inferring simple reaction mechanisms that are consistent with
available experimental evidence. The interactive computer program
MECHEM is based on a combinatorial heuristic search, and has recently
found an interesting new mechanism on a long-studied model reaction in
heterogeneous catalysis. Here, we show that MECHEM is applicable to
methane and alkane conversion chemistry. First, we give a cursory
description of the program, and then describe the results of its
application to illustrative cases of the partial oxidation of methane.
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