Selective Conversion NOx Into Isoxazoles via Co–Zn Electrocatalyst Steering the Reaction Pathway

T Tao You (Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies, Zhejiang Normal University , 1108 Gengwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311231,) J Junyan Li (Department of Materials Science and Engineering) S Shilin Bo (MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry GBRCE For Functional Molecular Engineering Lehn Institute of Functional Materials School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China) W Wenyu Yang (Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), College of Chemistry and Materials) H Haixin Sun Q Qinghua Liu (National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory) G Guangqin Li (MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry GBRCE For Functional Molecular Engineering Lehn Institute of Functional Materials School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China) L Li‐Zhu Wu (Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The electrocatalytic upcycling of NOx species into valuable N ‐heterocycles presents an attractive route, but it is challenged by complex paths and low catalytic activity. This work reports a highly selective strategy for the electrochemical reduction of NOx to isoxazoles via coupling with 1,3‐dicarbonyls, enabled by a Co–Zn dual‐atom catalyst (Co–Zn–NC). Interestingly, the system achieves a remarkable Faraday efficiency of 92% for isoxazole and significantly inhibits hydrogen and ammonia production. The unique electronic structure significantly regulates the energy barrier of nitrate reduction reaction and the hydrogen adsorption energy revealed by density functional theory calculations, while obtaining moderate affinity towards hydroxylamine intermediate and isoxazole product illustrated from the adsorption measurements. This strategy demonstrates exceptional universality across various nitrogen sources (NO 3 − , NO 2 − , NO, NO 2 ), carbon sources (1,3‐dicarbonyls), and a series of M–Zn–NC catalysts, establishing a novel paradigm for synthesizing structurally complex N─O heterocycles directly from inorganic nitrogen wastes and creating a new platform for sustainable molecular manufacturing.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 16
Published April 13, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

T

Tao You

Hangzhou Institute of Advanced Studies, Zhejiang Normal University , 1108 Gengwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311231,

J

Junyan Li

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

S

Shilin Bo

MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry GBRCE For Functional Molecular Engineering Lehn Institute of Functional Materials School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China

W

Wenyu Yang

Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), College of Chemistry and Materials

H

Haixin Sun

Q

Qinghua Liu

National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory

G

Guangqin Li

MOE Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry GBRCE For Functional Molecular Engineering Lehn Institute of Functional Materials School of Chemistry Sun Yat‐Sen University Guangzhou China

L

Li‐Zhu Wu

Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China