Advancements and Future Prospectives of Single-Atom Catalysts in CO₂ Cycloaddition to Carbonates

The conversion of CO₂ and epoxides into cyclic carbonates represents a promising strategy for CO₂ utilization and valorization, with applications spanning pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, polymer manufacturing, and energy storage. This concept article provides a concise perspective on the advancements in CO₂ cycloaddition reactions catalyzed by single-atom catalysts (SACs), encompassing photocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and photothermal catalysis. Despite significant progress in the field, challenges such as limited catalytic activity and low stability of SACs under reaction conditions remain significant obstacles to industrial implementation. Mechanistic insights into active species are emphasized to enable the rational design and optimization of catalytic systems. In addition, key industrial challenges, such as the elimination of co-catalysts, scalability limitations, and the development of cost-effective production methods, are critically examined. By bridging fundamental research and practical applications, this concept article seeks to guide future advancements in the sustainable production of cyclic carbonates through CO₂ cycloaddition.