Metalloenzymes and cofactors formed some very efficient catalytic systems for small-molecule transformation, examples range from nitrogen and CO2 fixation to oxygen reduction. They achieve such efficiency by carefully arranging the cofactors and enzymes involved within larger protein matrices, such that electrons, protons and substrates are transported in ways that maximise efficiency. Such meticulously designed features offer much inspiration to us synthetic chemists when designing new catalytic systems for small molecules activation, in a broader context aiming to mitigate global issues like climate change, pollution and food shortage.

I would like to participate in the forum to meet experts in life sciences and biochemistry to get inspiration for new catalysts development. I also wish to contribute to the forum by sharing some of our new findings in understanding of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions and how this could lead to better-designed catalysis for small molecules transformation.

Common to many energy-relevant small molecule transformations, ranging from conversion of CO2, H2, N2, etc., is the involvement of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes, i.e. the transfer of hydrogen atom equivalents (n(H+ + e-)) therein. Such conversions in nature are being catalysed with enzymatic systems highly efficiently by, among other things, making use of proton and/or electron transport cofactors with carefully aligned spatial and energy arrangements via tuning of oxidation states, coordination sphere, hydrophilicity, entactic states, etc. Examples of such catalytic cofactors include hemes, iron-sulphur clusters and molybdopterins.

Taking inspiration from nature, molecular mediators that transfer H atom equivalents have recently been shown to be promising (co-)catalysts for small molecules activation, ranging from CO2RR, N2RR and NAD(P)H synthesis also via carefully tuning of their energetics and environments.

My current research aims to further understand PCET type of reactivities between material surfaces and small molecules, and to develop (electro)catalytic strategies that promote PCET-based activation of small molecules. In particular, I am interested in the use of hydrogen-permeable palladium as potential CPET mediators for various small molecule (electro)catalytic conversions.