Creating High Regioselectivity by Electronic Metal–Support Interaction of a Single-Atomic-Site Catalyst

Ligands are the most commonly used means to control the regioselectivity of organic reactions. It is very important to develop new regioselective control methods for organic synthesis. In this study, we designed and synthesized a single-atomic-site catalyst (SAC), namely, Cu1-TiC, with strong electronic metal–support interaction (EMSI) effects by studying various reaction mechanisms. π cloud back-donation to the alkyne on the metal catalytic intermediate was enhanced during the reaction by using transient electron-rich characteristics. In this way, the reaction achieved highly linear-E-type regioselective conversion of electronically unbiased alkynes and completely avoided the formation of branched isomers (ln:br >100:1, TON up to 612, 3 times higher than previously recorded). The structural elements of the SACs were designed following the requirements of the synthesis mechanism. Every element in the catalyst played an important role in the synthesis mechanism. This demonstrated that the EMSI, which is normally thought to be responsible for the improvement in catalytic efficiency and durability in heterogeneous catalysis, now first shows exciting potential for regulating the regioselectivity in homogeneous catalysis.