Radiocatalytic Synthesis of Acetic Acid from CH and CO.

The C-C coupling of methane (CH) and carbon dioxide (CO) to generate acetic acid (CHCOOH) represents a highly atom-efficient chemical conversion, fostering the comprehensive utilization of greenhouse gases. However, the inherent thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of CH and CO present obstacles to achieving efficient and selective conversion at room temperature. Our study reveals that hydroxyl radicals (⋅OH) and hydrated electrons (e ) produced by water radiolysis can effectively activate CH and CO, yielding methyl radicals (⋅CH) and carbon dioxide radical anions(⋅CO ) that facilitate the production of CHCOOH at ambient temperature. The introduction of radiation-synthesized CuO-anchored TiO bifunctional catalyst could further enhance reaction efficiency and selectivity remarkably by boosting radiation absorption and radical stability, resulting in a concentration of 7.1 mmol ⋅ L of CHCOOH with near-unity selectivity (>95 %). These findings offer valuable insights for catalyst design and implementation in radiation-induced chemical conversion.