Chemists at the University of Southern California have found an efficient new way to produce acetic acid using palladium.

Until now, acetic acid has usually been made from methanol and carbon monoxide in an expensive process that requires them to be blasted at temperatures of 900 degrees Celsius.

Following the research at USC, reports the latest issue of Science Magazine, chemist Roy Periana has removed two of the steps from the process through the use of palladium as a catalyst.

'What our chemistry shows for the first time is that you don't have to take the methane, blast it to pieces and then combine it', he said. 'We are making acetic acid in our process, but it's made at 180 degrees and it's made in one step.'

The methane was introduced into a solution of sulfuric acid containing palladium sulfate, which was then heated to 180 degrees, creating acetic acid and methanol.

Although Mr Periana is doubtful of the present commercial prospects of his new process, it is a significant step forward in the quest to find cheaper ways of converting methane, and at lower temperatures.

Acetic acid is used in a wide array of products, including cosmetics, asprin and pesticides.