 The Shilov cycle is the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon to an alcohol or alcohol precursor (RCl) catalyzed by PtIICl2 in an aqueous solution with [PtIVCl6]2− acting as the ultimate oxidant.The cycle consists of three major steps, the electrophilic activation of the C-H bond, oxidation of the complex, and the nucleophilic oxidation of the alkane substrate.An equivalent transformation is performed industrially by steam reforming methane to syngas then reducing the carbon monoxide to methanol.