Lactic acid photosynthesis via C-C cross-coupling over atomically dispersed Ba

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Catalysis
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Photocatalytic carbon-carbon coupling is key for converting plastic waste into valuable chemicals.
• Current methods suffer from low efficiency and selectivity due to uncontrolled intermediate coupling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient and selective photocatalytic method for converting plastic-derived chemicals.
• To utilize frustrated Lewis pairs for controlled intermediate generation and cross-coupling.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized atomically dispersed barium species on titanium dioxide.
• Investigated the role of barium as frustrated Lewis pairs in photocatalysis.
• Performed co-oxidation of ethylene glycol and methanol.

Main Results:

• Achieved efficient and selective generation of intermediates via frustrated Lewis pairs.
• Directed cross-coupling yielded lactic acid at 2.04 ± 0.08 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ with 81.8 ± 2.4% carbon selectivity.
• Observed concurrent hydrogen evolution at 5.85 ± 0.23 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• Atomically dispersed barium on TiO₂ functions as effective frustrated Lewis pairs for photocatalysis.
• Demonstrated a novel alkaline-earth frustrated Lewis pair system for selective solar-driven cross-coupling reactions.
• This approach offers a promising route for valorizing plastic-derived chemicals.