Electrochemical C–N Bond Formation within Boron Imidazolate Cages Featuring Single Copper Sites

Review on strategies for improving the added value and expanding the scope of CO2 electroreduction products

“…Recently, Thoi et al showed that the most favorable pathway for the coupling of C–N involves the condensation of *CO and NH 2 OH, resulting in the production of urea. 326 A study conducted by Jiao's group revealed that Cu nanoparticles (NPs) could catalyze the electrocatalytic co-reduction of CO and NH 3 , leading to the formation of acetamide as the major product with an approximate selectivity of 40%. 327 Meanwhile, the CO can be converted to *CO under equilibrium conditions.…”

Rationally Designed Carbon‐Based Catalysts for Electrochemical C‐N Coupling

“…Gerke and co‐workers investigated the copper boron‐imidazolate structures, BIF‐29(Cu), for their ability to couple CO 2 electro reduction with NO 3 − reduction to produce urea. [ 111 ] Remarkably, BIF‐29 (Cu) showed exceptional selectivity (68.5%) and activity (424 µA cm −2 ) in this multistep C‐N coupling process, standing out for its isolated single‐metal site efficiency. Comparison between experimental data and theoretical calculation results indicated that ENORR and ECRR proceed concurrently at distinct Cu centers, dominated by favorable C‐N bond formation routes involving *CO and NH 2 OH condensation to form urea.…”

Cu–Mo Dual Sites in Cu-Doped MoSe2 for Enhanced Electrosynthesis of Urea

“…The electrochemical process of synthesizing urea via NO 3 – reduction, in tandem with CO 2 reduction, involves multifaceted electrochemical and chemical steps, including C–N coupling and an array of intermediates. − This process often results in a complex array of products and low urea production efficiencies. Such complexities impose stringent demands on the search for suitable electrocatalysts that can optimize the adsorption and activation of reactants and intermediates, curtail side reactions, and enhance C–N coupling. , To date, despite numerous innovative materials being explored for urea synthesis and the highest FE can be achieved over 60%, the urea yield or partial current density is still not meeting practical application thresholds, and the detailed reaction mechanisms remain largely unexplored. , …”

“…23,24 To date, despite numerous innovative materials being explored for urea synthesis and the highest FE can be achieved over 60%, the urea yield or partial current density is still not meeting practical application thresholds, and the detailed reaction mechanisms remain largely unexplored. 25,26 T h i s c o n t e n t i s Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), with molybdenum diselenide (MoSe 2 ) in particular, have risen to prominence as promising catalysts for various electrocatalytic processes due to their distinctive electronic properties and robust stability. 27,28 These two-dimensional (2D) materials present abundant active sites and are amenable to significant chemical modification.…”