Non-catalytic direct conversion of liquid natural gas (LNG) to syngas and ethylene using pulse discharge technology was firstly carried out under the temperature of liquid nitrogen and atmospheric pressure. The liquefaction of natural gas increased tremendously the collision frequency between electrons and methane molecules in the discharge region and promoted the dimerisation of CH2 radicals formed, inducing the formation of large amounts of ethylene (selectivity > 90%) and synthesis gas, and suppressing the proceeding of useless side-reactions. Especially, CO2 formation was suppressed remarkably due to the very low temperature of LNG and the cage effect provided by the condensed LNG. Crown Copyright (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.