Reaction-Driven Dynamic and Reversible Transformations of Au Single Atoms and Au–Zr Alloys on Zirconia for Efficient Acetylene Hydrochlorination

Catalysis involving gold supported on metal oxides has undergone extensive examination. However, the nature of the catalytic site under actual reaction conditions and the role of the support continue to be vigorously debated. This study addresses these issues through experimental investigations and theoretical simulations. We explore a novel catalytic mechanism that employs dynamic single-atom catalysis for the hydrochlorination of acetylene. This catalytic mechanism occurs in defective ZrO2-supported Au–Zr single-atom alloys. Specifically, the dynamic single-atom catalysis is a result of the mobility of the gold cation, which is accelerated by Cl radicals and strongly couples with the abundant unsaturated surface sites of ZrO2 in a synergistic manner. As a result, the Au electronic structure dynamically evolves, leading to a decrease in the addition reaction energy barrier. Notably, the Au cation can detach from the Au–Zr alloy structure to catalyze the hydrochlorination of acetylene near the Zr–Ov–Zr sites and then reintegrate back into the Au–Zr alloy structure upon completion of the reaction. This study underscores the significance of dynamic active sites under reaction conditions and their pivotal role in catalysis.