Themed collection Most popular 2021 catalysis articles, 2021
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Plasmonic photothermal catalysis for solar-to-fuel conversion: current status and prospects
Hot carrier activation and photothermal heat can be constructively coupled using plasmonic photothermal catalysts for synergistically promoted solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 5701-5719
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC00064K
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Olefin metathesis: what have we learned about homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts from surface organometallic chemistry?
Surface organometallic chemistry bridges the gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous olefin metathesis catalysts.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 3092-3115
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC06880B
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New chemistry for enhanced carbon capture: beyond ammonium carbamates
New pathways for carbon capture and sequestration are needed to tackle the challenge of rising anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 508-516
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC06059C
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A review on machine learning algorithms for the ionic liquid chemical space
In this review article, the authors discuss the use of machine learning algorithms as tools for the prediction of physical and chemical properties of ionic liquids.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6820-6843
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC01000J
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Recent advances in single atom catalysts for the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction
The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) offers a promising solution to mitigate carbon emission and at the same time generate valuable carbonaceous chemicals/fuels.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6800-6819
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC01375K
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On the underestimated influence of synthetic conditions in solid ionic conductors
Influence of synthesis and processing on the nature of ultimate product and the ionic transport properties of superionic conductors.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6238-6263
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC06553F
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Defective TiO2 for photocatalytic CO2 conversion to fuels and chemicals
This review discusses photocatalytic CO2 conversion using defective TiO2, with emphasis on the mechanism, the role of defects on CO2 adsorption–activation and product selectivity, as well as challenges of defective TiO2 to produce solar fuels.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 4267-4299
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC06451C
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2D framework materials for energy applications
In recent years the 2D concept has been transferred from conventional 2D materials to porous 2D framework materials. This minireview takes a closer look onto the preparation of 2D framework materials and their merits for energy applications.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 1600-1619
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC05889K
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An organophotocatalytic late-stage N–CH3 oxidation of trialkylamines to N-formamides with O2 in continuous flow
An N–CH3-selective trialkylamine oxidation to N-formamides is reported in continuous flow using gaseous O2. A novel, enhanced-solubility dicyanoanthracene organophotocatalyst switched the photochemical mechanism from electron to energy transfer.
Chem. Sci., 2022,13, 1912-1924
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC05840A
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Development of a panchromatic photosensitizer and its application to photocatalytic CO2 reduction
The osmium(II) complex functioned as a panchromatic photosensitizer and drove CO2 reduction.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 13888-13896
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC04045F
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Suppressing carboxylate nucleophilicity with inorganic salts enables selective electrocarboxylation without sacrificial anodes
Selective electrocarboxylation of nucleophilically susceptible organic halides without sacrificial anodes is enabled by inorganic salt additives, which suppress the nucleophilicity of anions in the electrolyte.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 12365-12376
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC02413B
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Mesoionic N-heterocyclic olefin catalysed reductive functionalization of CO2 for consecutive N-methylation of amines
Mesoionic N-heterocyclic olefin (mNHO) catalysed consecutive N-methylation of primary and secondary amines was accomplished under 1 atm CO2 pressure in the presence of 9-BBN as a reducing agent nearly at room temperature.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 12174-12180
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC02819G
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A quasi-stable molybdenum sub-oxide with abundant oxygen vacancies that promotes CO2 hydrogenation to methanol
Oxygen-defective molybdenum sub-oxide coupled with Pt nanoparticles affords high methanol yield in liquid-phase CO2 hydrogenation via reverse Mars–van Krevelen mechanism.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 9902-9915
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC02550C
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Phase-selective active sites on ordered/disordered titanium dioxide enable exceptional photocatalytic ammonia synthesis
This work highlights the importance of a rational design for more energetically suitable nitrogen reduction reaction routes and mechanisms by regulating the electronic band structures with phase-selective defect sites.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 9619-9629
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC03223B
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Understanding the mechanism of direct visible-light-activated [2 + 2] cycloadditions mediated by Rh and Ir photocatalysts: combined computational and spectroscopic studies
The mechanism of [2 + 2] cycloadditions activated by visible light and catalyzed by bis-cyclometalated Rh(III) and Ir(III) photocatalysts was investigated, combining density functional theory calculations and spectroscopic techniques.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 9673-9681
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC02745J
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Mechanistic study on the reaction of pinB-BMes2 with alkynes based on experimental investigation and DFT calculations: gradual change of mechanism depending on the substituent
Combination of kinetic and DFT studies revealed a subtle balance for substituent effect toward the regioselectivity of the product in metal-free and base-catalyzed diboration of arylacetylenes.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 9806-9815
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC02863D
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Photomediated core modification of organic photoredox catalysts in radical addition: mechanism and applications
Photomediated core modification of organic photocatalysts through a radical/radical cation cross-coupling process enables the ability to stabilize radical ions and prevent undesirable side reactions.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 9432-9441
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC02258J
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Zinc catalysed electrophilic C–H borylation of heteroarenes
Cationic zinc Lewis acids catalyse the C–H borylation of heteroarenes using pinacol borane (HBPin) or catechol borane (HBCat).
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 8190-8198
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC01883C
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Spatial-confinement induced electroreduction of CO and CO2 to diols on densely-arrayed Cu nanopyramids
Densely-arrayed Cu nanopyramids have spatial confinement induced by the additional Cu–O bond. This promotes C–C coupling, regulates post-C–C coupling, and retains both oxygen atoms in an alternative pathway toward ethylene glycol formation from CO.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 8079-8087
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC01694F
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Chemo-bio catalysis using carbon supports: application in H2-driven cofactor recycling
Heterogeneous chemo-bio catalytic hydrogenation is an attractive strategy for clean, enantioselective CX reduction.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 8105-8114
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC00295C
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Cyanine-based near infra-red organic photoredox catalysis
Direct metal-free near infra-red photoredox catalysis is applied to oxidation, reduction and photosensitization, involving cyanines as photocatalysts. Mechanistic insights through kinetic and quenching experiments are also reported.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6964-6968
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC00998B
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Highly efficient ammonia synthesis at low temperature over a Ru–Co catalyst with dual atomically dispersed active centers
The desire for a carbon-free society and the continuously increasing demand for clean energy make it valuable to exploit green ammonia (NH3) synthesis that proceeds via the electrolysis driven Haber–Bosch (eHB) process.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 7125-7137
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC00304F
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Efficient electroreduction of CO2 to C2+ products on CeO2 modified CuO
CO2 can be efficiently converted into C2+ products on CeO2 modified CuO catalysts and the faradaic efficiency could reach 75.2% with a current density of 1.21 A cm−2.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6638-6645
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC01117K
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Enabling highly (R)-enantioselective epoxidation of styrene by engineering unique non-natural P450 peroxygenases
H2O2-dependent epoxidation of unfunctionalized styrenes is achieved with high (R)-enantioselectivity and moderate to excellent TONs by combining site-mutated variants of cytochrome P450BM3 monooxygenase and a dual-functional small molecule (DFSM).
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6307-6314
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC00317H
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Electrochemical C–N coupling with perovskite hybrids toward efficient urea synthesis
The local charge redistribution in BiFeO3/BiVO4 hybrids promotes the targeted adsorption and activation of inert gas molecules and guarantees the exothermic coupling of *NN* with generated CO via C–N coupling reactions to form *NCON* precursor.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6048-6058
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC01467F
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An amino acid based system for CO2 capture and catalytic utilization to produce formates
A novel amino acid based reaction system for CO2 capture and utilization (CCU) to produce formates is presented applying a ruthenium-based catalyst. Noteworthy, CO2 can be captured from ambient air and converted to formates in one-pot (TON > 50 000).
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6020-6024
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SC00467K
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Single-atom nickel terminating sp2 and sp3 nitride in polymeric carbon nitride for visible-light photocatalytic overall water splitting
Single-atom Ni terminating agent is introduced to coordinate with sp2 or sp3 N atoms in the heptazine units of PCN, realizing visible-light photocatalytic overall water splitting to H2O2 and H2 without additional cocatalyst.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 3633-3643
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC07093A
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A rationally designed two-dimensional MoSe2/Ti2CO2 heterojunction for photocatalytic overall water splitting: simultaneously suppressing electron–hole recombination and photocorrosion
The two challenges of electron–hole recombination and photocorrosion for two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides in the application of photocatalytic water splitting are simultaneously suppressed by rational design of heterojunctions.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 2863-2869
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC06132H
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Fast oxygen ion migration in Cu–In–oxide bulk and its utilization for effective CO2 conversion at lower temperature
Efficient activation of CO2 at low temperature was achieved by reverse water–gas shift via chemical looping (RWGS-CL) by virtue of fast oxygen ion migration in a Cu–In structured oxide, even at lower temperatures.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 2108-2113
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC05340F
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Three-component three-bond forming cascade via palladium photoredox catalysis
Highly modular three-bond three-component cascade featuring palladium as dual photoredox/cross coupling catalyst.
Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 1810-1817
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0SC05551D
About this collection
This specially curated collection pulls together some of the most popular articles from 2021 in the field of catalysis. The collection presents some outstanding contributions to the field, ranging from electrocatalytic reduction to photocatalysts bearing transition metals, and as with all Chemical Science articles – they are all completely free to access and read. We hope you enjoy browsing through this collection.
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