Liquid-Metal Catalytic Solution for Enhanced Spontaneous Proton Coupled Electron Transfer

Gallium-based liquid metals (LMs) with near-room-temperature melting points have recently attracted attention due to their exceptional properties. Although attempts are starting to utilize LMs to prepare functional materials, little attention has been focused on the internal-interface of LMs and on designing chemical reactions occurring in it. Herein, a series of hydrogenation reactions are conducted in a Cu catalyst-incorporated LM to demonstrate its potential as a creative medium. Compared to the effects in an aqueous system, the hydrogenation kinetics in the LM catalytic solution is enhanced by several tens of times. The excellent catalytic performance is explained by the LM participating in a special electron-donating phenomenon with the incorporated catalyst during reaction, which is seldom reported in a common medium. The proved proton coupled electron transfer (HCET) mechanism is universal in terms of organic pollutant hydrogenation, biological platform molecule regeneration, azo-dye degradation, etc. This study provides a unique perspective for innovative design of LM catalytic systems.