Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making C2 or larger hydrocarbons from methane or for dehydrogenating C2 or larger hydrocarbons. The method can include contacting methane or C2 or larger hydrocarbons with a hydridable material under reaction conditions sufficient to effect removal of at least one hydrogen atom from a plurality of methane molecules or C2 or larger hydrocarbons to produce a plurality of methyl radicals or to dehydrogenate the C2 or larger hydrocarbons. With respect to the produced plurality of methyl radicals, they can combine together to form C2 or larger hydrocarbons. The reaction is performed in the absence of oxygen gas and reactive metal oxides.