The structure of alpha-oxygen species formed over binuclear iron centres in zeolite matrices active for methane oxidation

We aim to leverage differential pair distribution function (dPDF) to investigate the local structure of active oxygen species, so called alpha oxygen (alpha-O), formed over binuclear iron centres in zeolites of FER and *BEA topology during interaction with molecular oxygen. alpha-O is defined by its remarkable reactivity, enabling the oxidation of inert molecules such as methane even at ambient conditions. We will determine how local ordering of cooperating iron centres leads to activating molecular oxygen, forming alpha-O species and performing redox processes during interaction with methane. PDF/dPDF analysis is the most sensitive approach to highlight subtle changes with respect to the long-range structure of Fe centres. These results will contribute a unique perspective on the architecture of active oxygen species stabilized over transition metal ion centres in zeolite matrices.