In conventional heterogeneous catalytic process, the activation of C-H bond remains a grand challenge. It is even more difficult to activate the inert C-H bond with other functional groups (e.g. OH) in the same mole...In conventional heterogeneous catalytic process, the activation of C-H bond remains a grand challenge. It is even more difficult to activate the inert C-H bond with other functional groups (e.g. OH) in the same molecule, remaining intact [1]. Although the transformation of C1 species (e.g. CO, CO2, CH4 and CH3OH) into C2 molecules (e.g. C2H4, C2HsOH and HOCH2CH2OH) via C-C coupling has been a hot research topic but the yield of aimed product is still needed to be improved. Ethylene glycol (EG) is a versatile chemical with many important applications, in particular for the manufacture of polyesters, predominantly poly(ethylene terephthalate) [2]. Recently, Wang, Deng and co-workers at Xiamen University cleverly designed a new process for the conversion of methanol to ethylene glycol, in which the EG selectivity can reach 90% (Eq. (1)) [3].展开更多
文摘In conventional heterogeneous catalytic process, the activation of C-H bond remains a grand challenge. It is even more difficult to activate the inert C-H bond with other functional groups (e.g. OH) in the same molecule, remaining intact [1]. Although the transformation of C1 species (e.g. CO, CO2, CH4 and CH3OH) into C2 molecules (e.g. C2H4, C2HsOH and HOCH2CH2OH) via C-C coupling has been a hot research topic but the yield of aimed product is still needed to be improved. Ethylene glycol (EG) is a versatile chemical with many important applications, in particular for the manufacture of polyesters, predominantly poly(ethylene terephthalate) [2]. Recently, Wang, Deng and co-workers at Xiamen University cleverly designed a new process for the conversion of methanol to ethylene glycol, in which the EG selectivity can reach 90% (Eq. (1)) [3].