Single-atom catalysis for organic reactions

Metal-based catalysis, including homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, plays a significant role in the modern chemical industry. Heterogeneous catalysis is widely used due to the high efficiency, easy cat-alyst separation and recycling. However, the metal-utilization efficiency for conventional heterogeneous catalysts needs further improvement compared to homogeneous catalyst. To tackle this, the pursing of heterogenizing homogeneous catalysts has always been attractive but challenging. As a recently emerging class of catalytic material, single-atom catalysts (SACs) are expected to bridge homogeneous and hetero-geneous catalytic process in organic reactions and have arguably become the most active new frontier in catalysis field. In this review, a brief introduction and development history of single-atom catalysis and SACs involved organic reactions are documented. In addition, recent advances in SACs and their practi-cal applications in organic reactions such as oxidation, reduction, addition, coupling reaction, and other organic reactions are thoroughly reviewed. To understand structure-property relationships of single-atom catalysis in organic reactions, active sites or coordination structure, metal atom-utilization efficiency (e.g., turnover frequency, TOF calculated based on active metal) and catalytic performance (e.g., conversion and selectivity) of SACs are comprehensively summarized. Furthermore, the application limitations, develop-ment trends, future challenges and perspective of SAC for organic reaction are discussed. (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

Automated summary

Metal-based catalysis, including homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, is widely used in the modern chemical industry. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a promising class of catalytic material that bridges homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic processes. This review provides an introduction and development history of SACs in organic reactions, as well as a comprehensive overview of their recent advances and practical applications. The structure-property relationships, metal atom-utilization efficiency, and catalytic performance of SACs in organic reactions are summarized, and the limitations, trends, challenges, and future perspectives of SACs for organic reactions are discussed.