Energy-efficient purification of styrene (ST) from ethylbenzene (EB) remains a formidable challenge due to their striking molecular similarity, demanding advanced separation technologies beyond conventional extractive distillation. Herein, we present an electrostatic potential (ESP) engineering strategy achieving molecular recognition within metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By incorporating a single nitrogen atom into the isophthalate linker of CAU-10, forming CAU-10-pydc, we generate spatially organized negative ESP sites within the channels. This modification significantly enhances interactions with the vinyl C & horbar;H groups of ST while concurrently attenuating the binding of EB. Consequently, CAU-10-pydc demonstrates a remarkable increase in both ST adsorption capacity and selectivity. Comprehensive adsorption experiments, breakthrough measurements, and calorimetry reveal the superior ST affinity of CAU-10-pydc, achieving a 49.1% enhancement in dynamic vapor-phase selectivity and superior liquid-phase performance compared to its parent framework. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy elucidate that cooperative C & horbar;H & centerdot;& centerdot;& centerdot;N, C & horbar;H & centerdot;& centerdot;& centerdot;O, and N & centerdot;& centerdot;& centerdot;pi interactions are the mechanistic underpinnings for the preferential trapping of ST within the nitrogen-engineered pores. This work establishes ESP tailoring as a potent and applicable avenue for the purification of ST/EB mixtures, and more broadly for differentiating molecules with subtle steric variations but distinct charge distributions.

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are valuable functional lipids, yet their effective separation from coexisting structurally related impurities, such as free fatty acids (FFAs), monoacylglycerols (MAGs), and diacylglycerols (DAGs), remains challenging. Herein, a liquid–liquid extraction strategy based on biocompatible amphiphilic choline carboxylate ionic liquids (ILs) was developed for highly selective TAG purification. An n-hexane/IL–polar solvent biphasic system was designed to generate a synergistic ”push-and-pull” effect, where nonpolar n-hexane preferentially retained TAGs in the raffinate phase, while the IL-rich extractant selectively extracted FFA, MAG, and DAG through hydrogen-bonding interactions. Using synthesized glyceryl triundecanoate (C11:0-TAG) feedstock as a model system, the effects of anionic alkyl chain length, type of diluent, IL concentration, feedstock concentration, and temperature were systematically examined. Choline carboxylate ILs significantly enhanced both distribution coefficients of the impurities and separation selectivity (up to 104) compared with conventional imidazolium-based ILs. Mechanistic studies combining density functional theory, atoms-in-molecules, interaction region indicator analyses, and 1H NMR revealed that strong hydrogen bonding between the carboxylate anion and the carboxyl/hydroxyl headgroups of FFA, MAG, and DAG improves the selective separation. Multi-stage extraction, simulated by McCabe-Thiele analysis and experimentally conducted using a cross-current extraction process, indicated that the purity of TAG could be elevated from 63.1% to > 99% with three theoretical stages. The proposed strategy not only provides a versatile and scalable route for high-purity TAG production, but also sheds light on the molecular-recognition principle for separating structurally similar compounds.

Macrocyclic peptide stapling is a powerful strategy to enhance conformational stability and functional performance, yet existing approaches often suffer from limited chemoselectivity, constrained modularity, or poor compatibility with automated synthesis. Here we report a pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)-based Lys-Lys stapling platform that enables highly chemoselective intramolecular bis-amidation of fully unprotected peptides under mild conditions. Distinct from conventional bifunctional linkers, PMDA operates as a tetrafunctional scaffold, simultaneously inducing efficient macrocyclization while installing two carboxylate handles for downstream diversification. The reaction exhibits exceptional selectivity for lysine ε-amines, tolerating all other nucleophilic side chains, including cysteine, across a broad range of peptide sequences and linker spacings. The resulting macrocycles support stepwise bicyclization and modular postcyclization conjugation with nucleic acids, small-molecule drugs, and affinity tags. Application to antimicrobial peptides demonstrates enhanced conformational constraint and markedly improved proteolytic stability. Importantly, the chemistry is intrinsically compatible with solid-phase peptide synthesis and fully integrated, end-to-end automated workflows without hardware modification. This PMDA-mediated stapling strategy establishes a versatile, automation-ready linker platform for rapid assembly and functional diversification of macrocyclic peptides.

Online acetylene (C2H2) monitoring is essential for fault diagnosis in oil-deficient electrical equipment, yet spatial constraints impose stringent demands on chromatographic miniaturization. Against this backdrop, achieving baseline separation of trace C2H2 (∼10 ppmv) from structurally similar interferents, most notably ethylene (C2H4, ∼500 ppmv), within ultrashort columns represents a formidable challenge. Here, we report two novel miniaturized columns based on electronegative-site-rich metal-organic framework (MOF) stationary phases that enable unprecedented separation performance: baseline resolution (R > 1.5) with exceptional column efficiency (HETP = 0.03 cm), 2.7-5.0 fold corresponding efficiency of commercial materials. Moreover, the columns exhibited exceptional air stability and recyclability, maintaining unchanged performance following 4 months of air exposure and 80 consecutive injection cycles. Mechanistic investigations reveal that chromatographic separation is governed primarily by the pronounced thermodynamic disparity between C2H2 (ΔH = -50.4 to -50.7 kJ/mol) and C2H4 (ΔH = -35.9 to -36.8 kJ/mol). This work underscores the potential of MOF-based stationary phases as a viable platform for high-efficiency separation of trace C2H2, paving the way for their integration into field-deployable analytical instrumentation.

Copper-based nanocatalysts excel in the anaerobic dehydrogenation of 2,3-butanediol due to their excellent O-H bond cleavage ability; however, simultaneously enhancing their activity and stability remains a challenge. In this work, we report a robust 7% CuMgAl-LDO catalyst featuring well-defined nanostructures, derived from a CuMgAl hydrotalcite precursor via the coprecipitation method, achieving a 96% 2,3-butanediol conversion and 87% acetoin selectivity. Notably, this engineered nanocatalyst sustained an acetoin yield over 70% for 100 h. Structural characterizations indicated that Cu species were incorporated into the MgAl-LDH framework via the partial substitution of Mg. N2O titration revealed that the 7% CuMgAl-LDO exhibited the highest Cu dispersion (54.6%), which was further confirmed by HAADF-STEM showing a mean Cu nanoparticle size of only 2.3 nm. These structural improvements are attributed to the enhanced metal-support interactions within the nanostructured framework, as evidenced by NH3-TPD and quasi in situ XPS. Mechanistic investigations suggested that the catalytically active phase for anaerobic dehydrogenation likely involved a synergistic effect between Cu+ and Cu0, with DFT calculations further indicating that Cu+ species exhibited superior intrinsic catalytic activity. Furthermore, the enhanced metal-support interactions suppressed the sintering of Cu nanoparticles and prevented the over-reduction of active Cu+ species under a reducing atmosphere, thereby preserving the active phase and promoting the stability of the 7% CuMgAl-LDO catalyst. This study systematically elucidates the metal-support interactions, clarifies the catalytically active phase, and reveals the deactivation mechanism of the 7% CuMgAl-LDO catalyst, providing insights for the design of stable nanostructured Cu-based catalysts.

Tailored host-guest interactions are essential for developing multifunctional adsorbents, yet integrating distinct adsorption roles into a single robust framework remains rare. Herein, we represent a green, biocompatible Zn-based metal-organic framework (ZnVc) constructed from edible-grade vitamin C ligands. The resulting oxygen-decorated pores deliver strong, selective guest binding through multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions. ZnVc exhibits inverse hydrocarbon selectivity with high affinity for C2H2 and C2H6 over C2H4, enabling one-step C2H4 purification from ternary C2 mixtures under ambient conditions. Theoretical modeling and in situ spectroscopy reveal that synergistic hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions govern this selectivity. Beyond hydrocarbon separation, the oxygen-rich sites impart dual functionality in real fruit storage: efficient C2H4 scavenging couple with humidity regulation, markedly prolongs postharvest freshness. This work exemplifies how rational coordination chemistry and sustainable ligand choice can unite industrial and agricultural functions within a single adsorbent platform.

Efficient recovery of value-added compounds from biomass waste represents a sustainable approach to chemical engineering. This study presents an innovative and environmentally benign approach for squalene purification from unsaponifiable soybean oil deodorizer distillate (SODD) waste using biocompatible ionic liquids (ILs) in a liquid-liquid extraction process. Employing a conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS)-guided methodology coupled with a push-and-pull strategy, we systematically screened and identified the optimal biphasic extraction systems. The optimized system utilizing 1 mol % [Ch][C n H2n+1COO] in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone achieved exceptional impurity-to-squalene selectivity over 15 while maintaining suitable distribution coefficients. Comprehensive mechanistic investigations through quantum-chemical calculations and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed a hydrogen-bond-dominated separation mechanism. Multistage extraction optimization demonstrated the capability to simultaneously achieve high purity and superior recovery rates of squalene. This research establishes a sustainable, high-performance pathway for valorizing refinery waste streams, offering significant implications for green chemistry and circular economy principles in the biorefinery industry.

Separation of xylene isomers remains a formidable challenge due to their nearly identical molecular dimensions and boiling points. Here, we report an efficient pore contraction strategy, termed aromatic ligand thickness engineering, to boost xylene isomer discrimination in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). By substituting common terephthalate linkers with ferrocene dicarboxylate (FcDC), the one-dimensional pore of MIL-53 was rationally contracted, while the demanded aromatic environment was preserved. This structural modification afforded a pore environment that matches the cross-sectional dimensions of para-xylene (PX) while sterically excluding meta-xylene (MX) and ortho-xylene (OX). MIL-53-FcDC exhibited record-high PX/OX breakthrough selectivity (up to 557) and excellent PX/MX selectivity (11) at 363 K. Combined adsorptive separation experiments, in-situ measurements, and molecular simulations revealed that the superior PX separation performance of MIL-53-FcDC arose from the synergistic interplay of thermodynamic affinity and favorable diffusion kinetics. Meanwhile, the combination of multiple weak C–H⋯π and π-π stacking interactions between PX and the contracted aromatic pores enabled both effective adsorption and facile regeneration. These findings establish aromatic ligand thickness engineering as a powerful strategy for tailoring pore chemistry and geometry in MOFs, enabling the near-sieving separations of isomers.

This highlight article is a comprehensive review of ethane-selective MOFs, revealing separation mechanisms and structure–property insights for energy-efficient ethylene purification.

The production of high-performance polylactic acid (PLA) with tailored thermomechanical properties is critically dependent on the enantiomeric purity of its l-lactic acid (l-LA) precursor. Current industrial processes often yield low-grade l-LA streams (around 80% ee) due to racemization during lactide formation, leading to substantial material loss and limiting the widespread adoption of high-stereoregularity PLA. Herein, we report on a highly efficient and industrially viable diastereomeric crystallization strategy for the upgrading of l-LA. Our method leverages the selective formation of crystalline salts between l-LA and specific chiral aromatic amines. Systematic screening identified (R)-1-phenylpropylamine ((R)-1-PA) and (R)-1-phenylethylamine ((R)-1-PEA) as superior resolving agents, enabling the crystallization of l-LA in acetonitrile (MeCN) with exceptional enantiomeric excess (ee >= 99% and >= 97%, respectively) and high yields (70% and 68%). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) reveals pronounced structural divergence among the corresponding diastereomeric salts, including distinct hydrogen-bonding networks and pi-pi stacking arrangements. Combined thermochemical analysis, phase-equilibrium studies, and molecular simulations demonstrate that chiral recognition arises from the cooperative interplay of electrostatic complementarity, directional hydrogen bonding, and multivalent aromatic interactions. Leveraging these insights, we establish an integrated reaction-crystallization-distillation process that upgrades low-grade l-LA to high-purity feedstock with efficient recovery and recycling of both solvent and resolving agent. This work presents an industrially viable crystallization-based purification strategy, offering a practical solution for enhancing the stereoregularity, performance, and industrial applicability of PLA, thereby addressing a key bottleneck in the sustainable polymer industry.

Efficient separation of xylene isomers by adsorption remains challenging due to insufficient selectivity arising from their molecular similarity. We report an adaptable metal-organic framework, Ni(BIC)2 [1-H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (HBIC)], that exhibits high selectivity for para-xylene over other xylene isomers. Ni(BIC)2 features a guest-adaptive one-dimensional channel that precisely matches the molecular projection dimensions of para-xylene, enabling sieving from a quaternary mixture of xylene isomers. The structural transformation of Ni(BIC)2 upon guest adsorption substantially widens the disparity in binding energies between para-xylene and its counterparts. Weakly adsorbed components are converted into nonadsorbed entities, leading to temperature-independent para-xylene uptake while excluding meta-xylene and ortho-xylene. Breakthrough experiments demonstrate remarkable dynamic selectivity, delivering high-purity para-xylene within a single fixed-bed adsorption process. Simulated moving bed (SMB) process analysis demonstrates that Ni(BIC)2 delivers a 3.2-fold increase in production efficiency relative to conventional zeolite under milder operating conditions.

The removal of cesium-137 (137Cs) from nuclear wastewater remains crucial due to its radioactivity and high solubility in water, which pose serious risk to human health and the environment. Aiming at selective capture of Cs+ from wastewater, a core-shell adsorbent, Prussian blue analog@g-alumina (PBA@Al2O3) pellets were synthesized using the hydrothermal-stepwise deposition method. The coreshell PBA@Al2O3 pellets showcased a PBA loading of 25% and demonstrated a maximum adsorption capacity of 15.65 mg center dot g-1. The adsorption data was consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. It effectively reduced bulk Cs+ concentrations from an initial 6.62 mg center dot L-1 to 2 mg center dot L-1, achieving a removal efficiency of 99.97% and distribution coefficient (Kd) of 1.265 - 106 ml center dot g-1, surpassing the performance of other PBA-based materials. The material also indicated good mechanical properties and cesium ion removal rates of 99.7% across a wide pH range (1.82 to 11.12). Furthermore, PBA@Al2O3 exhibited consistent removal rate of over 99% and good selectivity (SF1/450-1600) towards Cs+ even in the presence of interfering ions such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ ions. The Kd(Cs+) for PBA@Al2O3 in simulated seawater and groundwater were 9.92 - 103 and 2.23 - 104 ml center dot g-1, where the removal rates reached 96.1% and 98.2%, respectively. XPS confirms that the adsorption mechanism is the ion exchange between Cs+ and K+ ions. This study underscores the significant potential of inorganic core-shell pellets adsorbents as promising agents for the selective capture of Cs+ from wastewater. (c) 2024 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

The separation of para-xylene (PX) from C8 aromatic isomers remains a critical challenge in the chemical industry, given the structural similarities of these compounds. Herein, the study presents a metal-organic framework (MOF), CMOM-7, designed with aliphatic slots tailored to selectively trap non-para-alkyl groups of C8 aromatics, facilitating the one-step purification of PX. The framework features 1D channels that enhance diffusion kinetics, while the confined aliphatic slots exhibit a high affinity for ortho-xylene (OX), meta-xylene (MX), and ethylbenzene (EB). Breakthrough experiments demonstrate the exceptional selectivity of CMOM-7, achieving a PX purity of 99.5% with a yield of 264 mg/g. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the selective adsorption is driven by the strong interactions between the aliphatic slots and the alkyl groups of OX, MX, and EB, while PX remains unbound within the channels. This study introduces CMOM-7 as a highly effective and energy-efficient adsorbent for the simultaneous separation of OX, MX, and EB from PX, offering a promising solution to one of the most challenging separations in industrial chemistry.

The sequestration of trace hexafluoropropylene (C3F6) is a critical yet formidable task in the production of high-purity perfluoropropane (C3F8), an important perfluorinated electronic specialty gas (F-gas) in the advanced electronics industry. Traditional adsorbents struggle with uneven, low-pressure uptake and compromises in selectivity. This work utilizes aperture size-electrostatic potential matching within a robust metal-organic framework (Al-PMA) to facilitate selective, reversible binding of C3F6 while excluding larger C3F8 molecules. The presence of bridging hydroxyl groups (l2-OH) in Al-PMA creates positive electrostatic potential traps that securely anchor C3F6 through strong hydrogen bonding, evidenced by in- situ infrared and 19 F magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Breakthrough experiments demonstrate the efficient removal of trace C3F6 from C3F8 under ambient conditions, achieving C3F8 purity exceeding 99.999%. The scalability of Al-PMA synthesis, remarkable stability, and exceptional performance highlight its potential as a promising adsorbent for industrial C3F6/C3F8 separations. (c) 2024 Science China Press. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science China Press. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

The pharmaceutical chemical industry,a cornerstone of modern societal health,faces urgent demands for sustainable transformation.In alignment with global decarbonization trends and China's"dual carbon"goal agenda,accelerating low-carbon innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing has emerged as both a national priority and a technological imperative.Notably,chemical active pharmaceutical ingredient(API)production—the energy-intensive core of pharmaceutical chemistry—contributes disproportionately to sector-wide carbon emissions,presenting a critical barrier to achieving carbon neutrality.We propose a paradigm shift toward renewable energy-powered synthetic systems to address this challenge.Inspired by natural photosynthesis,artificial photosynthetic platforms that utilize solar energy to drive chemical transformations offer transformative potential:these systems enable mild reaction conditions,simplified processes,and inherent energy efficiency—attributes that align perfectly with sustainable pharmaceutical engineering objectives.This review systematically examines cutting-edge advancements in artificial photosynthesis for synthesizing pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs.We introduce the conceptual framework of light-driven organic synthesis,establishing an interdisciplinary roadmap that integrates:photoinduced reaction pathways,development of photocatalysts,and industrial implementation.By bridging fundamental photochemistry with practical manufacturing needs,this work provides theoretical guidance and technological blueprints for developing next-generation green pharmaceutical processes.

Chlorinated organic hazardous wastes (COHW) from the chemical industry threaten human health and environment due to persistent toxicity and resistance to degradation. Conventional treatments often suffer from incomplete degradation or poor resource recovery. This work proposed an efficient COHW conversion to ethylene (C2H4) for dual COHW treatment and chemical production. Tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4), a representative of COHW, was selected to develop a hydrogen thermal plasma pyrolysis reaction kinetic model, which was validated through experiments. The particle evolution in the reactor was investigated, and the cascade reaction pathway of C2Cl4 => acetylene (C2H2) => C2H4 was unveiled, providing a theoretical foundation for product composition regulation. To address the trade-off between low carbon black (C(B)) formation and high C2H4 selectivity in the pyrolysis with conventional single-stage quenching, a novel two-stage quenching strategy was proposed: rapid quenching (above 1300K) suppresses C2H2 to C(B) conversion, followed by appropriate slow quenching (below 1300K) intensifying C2H2 hydrogenation to C2H4. This coupling enhances the C2H4 selectivity and yield. The optimized experiments achieved 100% chlorine removal, a C(B) yield reduction of 94%, a C2H4 selectivity of 43.3%, and a C2H4 yield of 40.2%, making a 110% improvement over single-stage quenching and surpassing all reported COHW-derived C2H4 yields.

Cholic acid (CA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) are natural bioactive compounds found in animal bile. In this study, the equilibrium solubility of CA and DCA was measured in ten organic solvents (esters, alcohols, ketones, and furfural), using a static method from 283.15 to 333.15 K. The results demonstrated that the solubility of both CA and DCA increased with rising temperature. At a given temperature, CA exhibited a solubility lower than that of DCA in esters; conversely, CA was more soluble than DCA in the other solvents studied. Experimental data were correlated with four models: the modified Apelblat equation, the Buchowski-Ksiazaczak lambda h equation, the Wilson model, and the nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) model. The influence of solvent properties on solubility was further examined using the Kamlet-Abboud-Taft Linear Solvation Energy Relationship (KAT-LSER) equation, revealing that solvent hydrogen-bond basicity (beta) and polarizability/dipolarity (pi*) significantly affect solubility. Additionally, thermodynamic parameters (Delta dis H 0, Delta dis S 0, Delta dis G 0, %zeta H, and %zeta TS) for the dissolution of both compounds were determined. Positive values for Delta dis H 0 and Delta dis G 0 confirm that the dissolution processes are endothermic and nonspontaneous. Overall, this study provides valuable guidance for solvent selection in the separation and purification of bile acids and enriches the solubility database.

The development of porous materials capable of achieving efficient separation of hexafluoropropylene (C3F6) and octafluoropropane (C3F8) remains a challenge due to their nearly identical physical properties and stringent purity demands in industrial applications. Herein, we report a flexible, quasi-one-dimensional coordination polymer, Mn-dhbq ([Mn(dhbq)(H2O)2] n , where dhbq = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone), featuring a high density of open metal sites and a temperature-responsive swelling architecture. This unique combination enables dynamic molecular sieving through selective binding of C3F6 while effectively excluding C3F8. At 298 K, dynamic breakthrough experiments with a 10:90 (v/v) C3F6/C3F8 gas mixture yielded high-purity C3F8 (>= 99.999%) over 190 L/kg. Mn-dhbq demonstrated remarkable thermal, chemical, and hydrothermal stability, along with scalability for 100-gram-scale synthesis and moldability into industrially relevant pellets using organic binders. The combination of high stability, scalability, and temperature-responsive selectivity highlights Mn-dhbq as a promising candidate for energy-efficient separation of fluorinated gases, addressing critical purification challenges in the semiconductor and electronics industries.

The separation of methane (CH4) from higher alkanes such as ethane (C2H6) and propane (C3H8) is a critical process in natural gas purification, which is essential for both enhancing the calorific value of natural gas and obtaining valuable feedstocks for chemical synthesis. Traditional methods struggle with the trade-off between adsorption capacity and selectivity due to the physical similarities of these alkanes. In this study, we introduce two cyclodextrin-based metal-organic frameworks (gamma-CDMOF-1 and gamma-CDMOF-2), which feature expansive polar cavities that significantly improve selectivity and adsorption capacity. These frameworks utilize uncoordinated oxygen sites within their structure to facilitate C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonding interactions, thereby selectively capturing C3H8 and C2H6 over CH4. Computational simulations, including Grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and density functional theory (DFT) analyses, affirm the frameworks' ability to selectively recognize and bind target molecules. Empirical breakthrough experiments demonstrate that gamma-CDMOF-1 can achieve CH4 purities exceeding 99.99 %, thereby indicating its potential for practical applications in natural gas purification. The findings suggest that integrating multiple polar sites within MOF cavities offers a promising strategy for developing advanced materials for the energy sector.

The development of cost-effective catalysts for mild arene hydrogenation is essential for the advancement of sustainable chemical processes. We present a rhenium-promoted nickel catalyst supported on hydroxyapatite (NiRe0.5/HAP) that enables efficient arene hydrogenation under mild conditions (50-130 degrees C, 0.5-2.0 MPa of H2). Using toluene hydrogenation as a model reaction, NiRe0.5/HAP (4.81 h-1 TOF) demonstrates nearly 13 and 30 times the catalytic activity of monometallic Ni/HAP (0.36 h-1 TOF) and Re/HAP (0.16 h-1 TOF), respectively, at 50 degrees C and 1.0 MPa of H2. Structural and mechanistic studies reveal a trifunctional role of Re: (1) geometrically isolates Ni sites, preventing sintering and forming a highly dispersed NiRe bimetallic species that enhances surface accessibility of metal active sites; (2) modulates the electronic properties of Ni via Ni-to-Re electron transfer, accelerating H2 dissociation and promoting hydrogenation; and (3) increases Lewis acidity, facilitating aromatic ring adsorption. The NiRe0.5/HAP catalyst exhibits broad substrate compatibility, efficiently hydrogenating functionalized aromatics and heterocycles in yields of up to 99%. Notably, it enables the complete hydrogenation of aromatic polyester polyethylene terephthalate (PET), yielding (bio)degradable polyethylene-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate (PECHD), highlighting the robustness of this system. This work presents a synergistic electronic-geometric design strategy for non-noble bimetallic catalysts, delivering noble-metal-like performance with the cost advantages of transition metals for sustainable arene valorization.