However, evidence suggests the existence of an alternative pathway with a slightly higher energy barrier, yet still kinetically feasible. This mechanism, commonly referred to as the stepwise mechanism, involves the formation of an ethoxy-framework complex intermediate. More precisely, initially the elimination of water leaves a CH 3 CH 2 +1 cation which binds to a negatively charged BAS oxygen, forming a relatively stable species. Subse- quently, a proton of the methyl group of the ethoxy group is abstracted by a neighboring BAS oxygen, oxidizing the intermediate and yielding ethylene.