M–O–C Catalysts: Copper Single Atoms Supported on Oxocarbon Covalent Networks as Electrocatalysts for Glycerol Oxidation to Formic Acid

Abstract N‐doped carbon single‐atom catalysts (M–N–C) have emerged as some of the most efficient electrocatalysts, offering both high activity and selectivity. To date, stabilization of single atoms on conductive carbon has been achieved almost exclusively through coordination with nitrogen atoms. Here, we introduce copper single‐atom catalysts (Cu SACs) uniquely coordinated by oxygen within a stable oxocarbon network derived from tetrahydroxyquinone (THQ)‐Cu metal‐organic frameworks. By thermal condensation with MgCl 2 ·6H 2 O at 600 °C, we achieve an oxygen‐rich carbonaceous material (30 wt% O) hosting highly dispersed Cu atoms. Advanced electron microscopic, spectroscopic, and scattering techniques,…