Selective Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction to Hydrogen Peroxide by Confinement of Cobalt Porphyrins in a Metal-Organic Framework.

Sustainable alternatives for the energy intensive synthesis of H 2 O 2 are necessary. Molecular cobalt catalysts show potential but are typically restricted by undesired bimolecular pathways leading to the breakdown of both H 2 O 2 and the catalyst. The confinement of cobalt porphyrins in the PCN-224 metal-organic framework leads to an enhanced selectivity towards H 2 O 2 and stability of the catalyst. Consequently, oxygen can now be selectively reduced to hydrogen peroxide with a stable conversion for at least 5 h, illustrating the potential of catalysts confined in MOFs to increase the selectivity and stability of electrocatalytic conversions.