Electrocatalytic C─S Cross‐Coupling via Engineered Frustrated Lewis Acid‐Base Pairs for High‐Efficiency Methanesulfonate Synthesis
Abstract The electrochemical synthesis of sulfonyl compounds under mild conditions remains a significant challenge due to the reliance on harsh reagents, high energy consumption, and low selectivity in conventional methods. Herein, we report a novel strategy for efficient C─S bond formation through in situ modulation of frustrated Lewis acid‐base pairs within a copper‐based metal‐organic framework (CuBDC‐XN). By precisely engineering electron‐deficient Cu Lewis acid sites and electron‐rich XN‐functionalized Lewis base sites, this bifunctional catalyst enables the synergistic co‐reduction of SO 3 2− and CO 2 into methanesulfonate (MS) at ambient conditions with a Faradaic efficiency of 13.77% (−0.78 V versus RHE). Mechanistic studies reveal that the frustrated Lewis pairs selectively stabilize key intermediates (*CHO and SO 3 2− ) via electrostatic interactions, facilitating nucleophilic attack and C─S coupling with a reduced energy barrier (0.48 eV). In situ spectroscopic analyses and DFT calculations further elucidate the dynamic adsorption‐configuration regulation and intermediate evolution pathway. This work not only establishes a molecular‐level understanding of cooperative Lewis acid‐base catalysis but also provides a universal design principle for the sustainable electrosynthesis of value‐added organosulfur compounds.
Authors
- Jiannian Yao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5505-1911)
- Jing Yuan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8839-925X)
- Yuhang Gao
- Yangyang Guo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8691-5372)
- Yijun Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9243-6228)
- Fangli Yuan
- Zhiqin Liang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2921-8312)
- Tingyu Zhu
- Lili Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0026-4877)
- Xi Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3910-9575)
- Menglong Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7758-8354)
- Kaiheng Zhao
Institutions
- Tangshan College (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Beijing Jiaotong University (CN)
- Institute of Process Engineering (CN)
- Institute of Chemistry (CN)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie
- Published
- 2025-06-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202509851
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Sulfur-Based Synthesis Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.94
Funders
- Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility