Catalytic N−H Bond Activation and Breaking by a Well‐Defined Co II 1 O 4 Site of a Heterogeneous Catalyst

Deprotonation from an OH on myo-Inositol Promoted by μ2-Bridges with Possible Regioselectivity/Chiral Selectivity

Single-crystal structures of myo-inositol complexes with erbium ([Er₂(C₆H₁₁O₆)₂(H₂O)₅Cl₂]Cl₂(H₂O)₄, denoted ErI hereafter) and strontium (Sr(C₆H₁₂O₆)₂(H₂O)₂Cl₂, denoted SrI hereafter) are described. In ErI, deprotonation occurs on an OH of myo-inositol, although the complex is synthesized in an acidic solution, and the pK_a values of all of the OHs in myo-inositol are larger than 12. The deprotonated OH is involved in a μ₂-bridge. The polarization from two Er³⁺ ions activates the chemically relatively inert OH and promotes deprotonation. In the stable conformation of myo-inositol, there are five equatorial OHs and one axial OH. The deprotonation occurs on the only axial OH, suggesting that the deprotonation possesses characteristics of regioselectivity/chiral selectivity. Two Er³⁺ ions in the μ₂-bridge are stabilized by five-membered rings formed by chelating Er³⁺ with an O-C-C-O moiety. As revealed by the X-ray crystallography study, the absolute values of the O-C-C-O torsion angles decrease from ∼60 to ∼45° upon chelating. Since the O-C-C-O moiety is within a six-membered ring, the variation of the torsion angle may exert distortion of the chair conformation. Quantum chemistry calculation results indicate that an axial OH flanked by two equatorial OHs (double ax-eq motif) is favorable for the formation of a μ₂-bridge, accounting for the selectivity. The double ax-eq motif may be used in a rational design of high-performance catalysts where deprotonation with high regioselectivity/chiral selectivity is carried out.

Single-Atom Catalysts across the Periodic Table

Isolated atoms featuring unique reactivity are at the heart of enzymatic and homogeneous catalysts. In contrast, although the concept has long existed, single-atom heterogeneous catalysts (SACs) have only recently gained prominence. Host materials have similar functions to ligands in homogeneous catalysts, determining the stability, local environment, and electronic properties of isolated atoms and thus providing a platform for tailoring heterogeneous catalysts for targeted applications. Within just a decade, we have witnessed many examples of SACs both disrupting diverse fields of heterogeneous catalysis with their distinctive reactivity and substantially enriching our understanding of molecular processes on surfaces. To date, the term SAC mostly refers to late transition metal-based systems, but numerous examples exist in which isolated atoms of other elements play key catalytic roles. This review provides a compositional encyclopedia of SACs, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the introduction of this term. By defining single-atom catalysis in the broadest sense, we explore the full elemental diversity, joining different areas across the whole periodic table, and discussing historical milestones and recent developments. In particular, we examine the coordination structures and associated properties accessed through distinct single-atom-host combinations and relate them to their main applications in thermo-, electro-, and photocatalysis, revealing trends in element-specific evolution, host design, and uses. Finally, we highlight frontiers in the field, including multimetallic SACs, atom proximity control, and possible applications for multistep and cascade reactions, identifying challenges, and propose directions for future development in this flourishing field.

Catalytic activation of ethylene C–H bonds on uniform d8 Ir(i) and Ni(ii) cations in zeolites: toward molecular level understanding of ethylene polymerization on heterogeneous catalysts

The long-debated intermediates of ethylene polymerization are revealed using uniform d⁸ metal ions in zeolites.

Bio-mimetic oxygen separation via a hollow fiber membrane contactor with O2 carrier solutions

A low-cost poly(ethyleneimine)–cobalt (PEI–Co) complex solution with high O₂ absorption capacity (as high as 1.5 L O₂ (STP)/L solution) was developed and used in a bio-mimetic system to produce high-purity O₂ from air.