Hydrogen peroxide-mediated tandem catalysis for electrifying chemical synthesis

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has gained widespread utility in green chemical synthesis. H2O2-mediated tandem catalysis combines the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e– ORR) and organics oxidation, which enables the in situ conversion of organics and the in situ production/utilization of H2O2 within the same system. This method not only reduces the cost of H2O2 purification and transportation but also promotes in-depth research in the renewable manufacturing of high-value-added chemicals. As such, this review will encompass the critical initial discoveries guiding H2O2-mediated tandem catalysis and discuss the core contents such as the tandem mechanism, applicable substrates, and electrolysis modes. Design principles and research efforts are highlighted from the aspects of bifunctional catalyst design, multistep catalysis matching, reactor integration and innovation, and system expansion. Finally, we provide personal perspectives on the challenges in this burgeoning field and the strategies that can be employed to render tandem processes practically feasible.