Coordination-driven innovations in low-energy catalytic processes: advancing sustainability in chemical production

Catalysis stands as a cornerstone in chemical synthesis, pivotal in advancing sustainable manufacturing pathways. The evolution from energy-intensive to sustainable catalytic processes has marked a transformative shift, notably exemplified by low-energy catalytic methods. These processes, operating under milder conditions and emphasizing selectivity and recyclability, represent the forefront of sustainable chemistry. This review navigates through an array of low-energy chemical reactions, highlighting their diverse applications and culminating in exploration of recent strides within low-energy catalytic processes. For example, the review explores the uses of low-energy catalytic processes in applications such as enzyme mimicking, biodiesel production, carbon dioxide capture, and organic synthesis. Additionally, it covers enzymatic catalysis and photocatalysis for carbon dioxide transformations, energy applications, and water treatment. Notably, the review emphasizes the low-energy catalytic capabilities of single-atom catalysis (SAC) and diatomic catalysts (DACs), recognizing their exceptional performance in catalyzing reactions at minimal activation energies while maintaining high efficiency and selectivity under mild conditions. By elucidating the modulation of electronic structure and offering a microelectronic perspective, the review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the catalytic activity of SAC and DACs. Emphasizing the interplay between coordination chemistry principles and catalytic efficacy, the review elucidates the indispensable role of coordination complexes in fortifying the sustainability of these processes. By spotlighting the fusion of coordination chemistry with catalysis, this review aims to underscore their collective influence in shaping the landscape of sustainable chemical production.