Galvanic Coupling Measurements Are a Predictive Tool for Cooperative Redox Enhancement (CORE) in Thermocatalytic Alcohol Oxidation

The Cooperative Redox Enhancement (CORE) mechanism, driven by electrochemical coupling between physically separated yet electrically connected catalytically active sites, underpins significant rate enhancements in liquid-phase thermocatalytic reactions. In this study, we use galvanic coupling measurements to accurately predict the magnitude of this rate enhancement in Au–Pd bimetallic systems using the conversion of 1,4-butanediol as a model system. This electrochemical method enables the determination of the optimal ratio of Au/C to Pd/C monometallic catalysts and serves as a predictive approach across a range of reaction conditions. These findings underscore the utility of electrochemical measurements to evaluate and optimize bimetallic thermocatalytic systems, advancing strategies for liquid-phase redox reaction design.