title: Cooperative Catalysis for Selective Alcohol Oxidation with Molecular Oxygen.
abstract: The activation of dioxygen for selective oxidation of organic molecules is a major catalytic challenge. Inspired by the activity of nitrogen-doped carbons in electrocatalytic oxygen reduction, we combined such a carbon with metal-oxide catalysts to yield cooperative catalysts. These simple materials boost the catalytic oxidation of several alcohols, using molecular oxygen at atmospheric pressure and low temperature (80 °C). Cobalt and copper oxide demonstrate the highest activities. The high activity and selectivity of these catalysts arises from the cooperative action of their components, as proven by various control experiments and spectroscopic techniques. We propose that the reaction should not be viewed as occurring at an 'active site', but rather at an 'active doughnut'-the volume surrounding the base of a carbon-supported metal-oxide particle.
authors.affiliation: Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Thierry K
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6578-4761
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Slot
authors.affiliation: Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.eisenberg@uva.nl.
authors.forename: David
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5568-337X
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.affiliation: Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dylan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Noordenne
authors.affiliation: Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jungbacker
authors.affiliation: Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. g.rothenberg@uva.nl.
authors.forename: Gadi
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1286-4474
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rothenberg
keywords: active sites; cooperative effects; heterogeneous catalysts; oxygen; supported catalysts