<p>Development of catalysts for the sustainable and energy-efficient valorisation of small molecules has gained much attention in recent years. In this regard, a large number of catalysts have been developed, especially organometallic and heterogeneous catalysts. However, the poor stability, selectivity, sintering, and poisoning effects limit the application of these catalysts. ‘Confined catalysis’, in which catalytic processes take place within a unique chemical environment created by confinement within the catalytic system, has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance the activity, selectivity, and stability of catalysts for small molecule activation. This review explores various two-dimensional (2D) confined catalytic systems and their applications in the conversion of small molecules such as CO<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="41745_2025_481_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="10" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="8" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, N<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="41745_2025_481_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="10" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="8" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, NH<InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="41745_2025_481_Article_IEq3.gif" Format="GIF" Height="10" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="8" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, H<InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="41745_2025_481_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="10" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="8" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O, and O<InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="41745_2025_481_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="10" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="8" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> into value-added products. Specifically, it highlights recent computational studies, offering insight into the effect of structure and electronic structure of the catalytic systems, interaction between molecules, catalyst surface in confined spaces, etc., on small molecule activation.</p>

A Review on the Applications of “Catalysis Under 2D-Cover” for Small Molecule Activation

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发表日期：

2025年8月20日

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Athira Jayasankar,
Sooraj Kunnikuruvan

摘要

Development of catalysts for the sustainable and energy-efficient valorisation of small molecules has gained much attention in recent years. In this regard, a large number of catalysts have been developed, especially organometallic and heterogeneous catalysts. However, the poor stability, selectivity, sintering, and poisoning effects limit the application of these catalysts. ‘Confined catalysis’, in which catalytic processes take place within a unique chemical environment created by confinement within the catalytic system, has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance the activity, selectivity, and stability of catalysts for small molecule activation. This review explores various two-dimensional (2D) confined catalytic systems and their applications in the conversion of small molecules such as CO $_{2}$ $_{2}$ , N $_2$ $_{2}$ , NH $_3$ $_{3}$ , H $_2$ $_{2}$ O, and O $_{2}$ $_{2}$ into value-added products. Specifically, it highlights recent computational studies, offering insight into the effect of structure and electronic structure of the catalytic systems, interaction between molecules, catalyst surface in confined spaces, etc., on small molecule activation.