Themed collection Most popular 2023 catalysis articles
![](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/Ajax-GA-Loader.gif)
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Recent developments for intermolecular enantioselective amination of non-acidic C(sp3)–H bonds
Recently, the field of intermolecular enantioselective amination of non-acidic C(sp3)–H bonds has witnessed rapid advances, which are discussed in this perspective
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 13278-13289
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC04643E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Diatomic catalysts for Fenton and Fenton-like reactions: a promising platform for designing/regulating reaction pathways
The summarized new advances and proposed research directions in this perspective can provide in-depth insights for the application/mechanism investigation of DAC-mediated Fenton/Fenton-like reactions.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 7818-7827
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02872K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Light-induced homolysis of copper(II)-complexes – a perspective for photocatalysis
A new kid on the block: Cu(II) offers unique possibilities in photocatalysis for generating and stabilizing radicals to promote challenging synthetic transformations.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 4449-4462
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC00388D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Redox catalysis via photoinduced electron transfer
This perspective article highlights redox catalysis of organic molecules via photoinduced electron transfer, which is well exploited for the important photoredox reactions including hydrogen evolution, water oxidation and synthetic applications.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 4205-4218
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC07101K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Cu-based catalyst designs in CO2 electroreduction: precise modulation of reaction intermediates for high-value chemical generation
Product distribution during electrocatalytic CO2 reduction is closely related to the behaviour of reaction intermediates. Morphological and microenvironmental engineering of Cu-based catalysts can regulate the reaction tendency of intermediates, enabling target products to be selectively obtained.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 13629-13660
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC04353C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Designing strategies and enhancing mechanism for multicomponent high-entropy catalysts
In this review, HEM-based catalyst designing strategies were summarized, including nanostructure design, defect engineering, strain effect, composition regulation, and theoretical calculation/prediction.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 771-790
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06403K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Metal complexes for catalytic and photocatalytic reactions in living cells and organisms
This review presents discrete metal complexes that catalyse or photocatalyse reactions within living cells or living organisms.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 409-442
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC05672K
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A tunable family of CAAC-ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts modularly derived from a large-scale produced ibuprofen intermediate
A tunable family of ibuprofen intermediate-derived CAAC-base complexes for different applications, dependent from the size of the N-aryl substituent.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 10744-10755
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03849A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Photochemical charge accumulation in a heteroleptic copper(I)-anthraquinone molecular dyad via proton-coupled electron transfer
An earth-abundant Cu(I) chromophore-anthraquinone dyad is reported to photochemically accumulate two electrons at the anthraquinone via proton-coupled electron transfer, generating the monoprotonated photoproduct.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 10219-10235
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03428C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Transport limitations in polyolefin cracking at the single catalyst particle level
Catalytic cracking could enable low temperature conversion of hard-to recycle polyolefin plastics. However, traditional cracking catalysts suffer from macro and microscopic mass transport limitations, which call for plastic pre-treatment.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 10068-10080
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03229A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Modulating paired Ir–O–Ir via electronic perturbations of correlated Ir single atoms to overcome catalytic selectivity
The active center of a paired Ir–O–Ir structure was generated via electronic perturbations of correlated Ir single atoms on Co3O4 nanosheets, and the O atom of which functioned as the main active site for the selective electrocatalysis of As(III).
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 9678-9688
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC03285J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Core–shell silica@CuxZnAl LDH catalysts for efficient CO2 hydrogenation to methanol
The efficient production of methanol by reduction of CO2 using green hydrogen is a promising strategy from both a green chemistry and a carbon net zero perspective.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 9814-9819
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02205F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Understanding C–H activation in light alkanes over Cu-MOR zeolites by coupling advanced spectroscopy and temperature-programmed reduction experiments
Temperature-programmed-reduction studies combined with advanced spectroscopy and data analysis methods shed light into the dynamic changes of Cu-speciation during light alkane selective oxidation over Cu-mordenite zeolites.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 9704-9723
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01677C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Cofacial porphyrin organic cages. Metals regulating excitation electron transfer and CO2 reduction electrocatalytic properties
A comprehensive study of the photophysical behaviors and CO2 reduction electrocatalytic properties of a series of cofacial porphyrin organic cages reveals metals regulate the excitation electron transfer and CO2 reduction electrocatalytic properties.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 9086-9094
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01816D
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A π-conjugated covalent organic framework enables interlocked nickel/photoredox catalysis for light-harvesting cross-coupling reactions
A mono-metal decorated covalent organic framework interlocked the catalysis mediated by light and the transition metal for light-fueled C–X cross-coupling reactions in excellent efficiency.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 8624-8634
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC02440G
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Role and dynamics of transition metal carbides in methane coupling
Direct methane coupling – one of the holy grails of industrial chemistry – was shown to involve carbon exchange between the metal carbide matrix and methane.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 5899-5905
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SC01054F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Engineering intraporous solvent environments: effects of aqueous-organic solvent mixtures on competition between zeolite-catalyzed epoxidation and H2O2 decomposition pathways
A combination of kinetic, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic techniques demonstrates that increasing the water fraction within organic solvents accelerates alkene epoxidations while suppressing the undesired H2O2 decomposition pathway.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 3160-3181
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06473A
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Theory-guided development of homogeneous catalysts for the reduction of CO2 to formate, formaldehyde, and methanol derivatives
Computational volcano plots are used to predict selectivity in the context of (first-row) transition metal-catalyzed CO2 reduction. The expected trends were tested experimentally and allowed for systematic improvement of the catalyst.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 2799-2807
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06793E
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Mechanochemical solid state single electron transfer from reduced organic hydrocarbon for catalytic aryl-halide bond activation
Under the influence of mechanical energy, a reduced organic hydrocarbon can transfer electrons in the solid-state to accomplish strong bond activation. Such activation was integrated into a catalytic cycle to design cross-coupling reactions.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 2606-2615
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06119H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Single-atom catalysis enabled by high-energy metastable structures
A high-energy metastable structure in an extremely small proportion that is difficult to identify can play a key role in delivering single-atom catalysis. This shakes the common assumption adopted in studies of single-atom catalysis.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 2631-2639
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06962H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Dynamic charge collecting mechanisms of cobalt phosphate on hematite photoanodes studied by photoinduced absorption spectroscopy
Loaded CoPi on Fe2O3 facilitates spatial charge separation by dynamic hole storage mechanisms, in which CoPi receives trapped holes in surface states at low potential and directly captures holes in the valence band at high potential.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 1861-1870
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC05802B
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Transferrable selectivity profiles enable prediction in synergistic catalyst space
Statistical models can be applied to predict and develop enantioselective reactions involving two catalysts.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 1885-1895
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC05974F
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
The spatial distribution of cobalt phthalocyanine and copper nanocubes controls the selectivity towards C2 products in tandem electrocatalytic CO2 reduction
This work highlights the importance of a direct contact between the CO-generating molecular catalyst and the Cu catalyst to promote C–C coupling in tandem electrocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 1097-1104
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06359J
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
An unusual autocatalysis with an air-stable Pd complex to promote enantioselective synthesis of Si-stereogenic enynes
A highly enantioselective palladium-catalyzed hydrosilylation of 1,3-diynes with dihydrosilanes was established for the facile preparation of Si-stereogenic enynes and an enyne-linked chiral polymer (polyenyne) in good yields with excellent ees.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 1123-1131
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC06181C
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
Selective and high-rate CO2 electroreduction by metal-doped covalent triazine frameworks: a computational and experimental hybrid approach
Various metal-doped covalent triazine frameworks exhibit selective high-rate CO2 reduction activity, depending on the metal species. The selectivity and activity corresponded well to the computational adsorption strength of intermediates.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 613-620
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC03754H
![Open Access](https://www.rsc-cdn.org/pubs-core/2022.0.147/content/NewImages/open-access-icon-orange.png)
A crystal growth kinetics guided Cu aerogel for highly efficient CO2 electrolysis to C2+ alcohols
Controlling crystal growth kinetics using different reductants is an efficient strategy to modulate the surficial chemistry micro-circumstance of Cu aerogels, enabling the creation of efficient surface sites for increasing C2+ product selectivity.
Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 310-316
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC04961A
About this collection
This specially curated collection pulls together some of the most read, cited and shared articles from 2023 in the field of catalysis. The collection highlights some outstanding contributions, including recent advances in electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and themocatalysis, especially frontiers on CO2 reduction, C-H activation, H2O2 decomposition and so on. As with all Chemical Science articles, these highlighted works are completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.
If a particular article has inspired you, do feel free to share on social media using the buttons on each article landing page and use our hashtag: #ChemSciMostPopular