Definition: Acyesis is a process that occurs in the formation of natural gas from organic matter. The process typically starts when carbon dioxide, or CO2, reacts with methane (CH4), which has an extremely low atomic number (1). When this reaction occurs, molecules combine into smaller ones called acetic acid, also known as CH3COOH (CH3COOH) (Figure 1). Acetic acid is a very important industrial product. It can be used to produce many different products like butane, propane, ethylene and more. As the reaction continues, an additional small molecule, carbon monoxide (CO), reacts with hydrogen, which then gives off water vapor. The reaction produces acetic acid, hydrogen gas, CO2 and H2O (Figure 1). Acyesis is a very important process for producing natural gas from organic matter. It occurs in the presence of sunlight and allows for efficient conversion of methane to CO2 and carbon monoxide. The formation of acetic acid from methane provides opportunities to extract other valuable products from organic materials like cellulose, lignin and sugars.

acyesis