A metal-catalyzed thermal polymerization strategy toward atomically dispersed catalysts.

We report a general metal-catalyzed thermal polymerization strategy for the preparation of atomically dispersed catalysts that consist of isolated metal atoms (Fe, Co and Ni) hosted by a polymer-like carrier containing phenanthroline substructure. The prepared atomically dispersed cobalt catalysts exhibit high selectivity, activity, and reusability in catalyzing aromatic alkane oxidation.