Determining the contribution of Mo single atoms components in MoO_(2)nanocatalyst in transfer hydrogenation

Nanocatalysts are likely to contain undetected single-atom components,which may have been ignored but have significant effect in catalytic reactions.Herein,we report a catalyst composed of Mo single atoms(SAs)and MoO_(2)nanoparticles(NPs)(MoSAs-MoO_(2)@NC),which is an exact model to understand how the SAs contribute to the nanocatalyst.Both experimental results and the density functional theory calculations reveal that Mo SAs on nitrogen-doped carbon provides the reaction zone for nitro reduction,while MoO_(2)is the active site for decomposing hydrazine hydrate to produce H*.Thanks to the synergy between Mo SAs and MoO_(2)NPs,this catalyst exhibits noble metal-like catalytic activity(100%conversion at 4 min)for the dechlorination-proof transfer hydrogenation.Additionally,the hydrogen migration on the catalyst is verified by the electrochemical tests in the absence of a hydrogen source.This work provides a model for further study on the coexistence of single atoms in nanoparticle catalysts.