Controlling Multiple Active Sites on Pd−CeO2 for Sequential C−C Cross‐coupling and Alcohol Oxidation in One Reaction System

Abstract Ceria (CeO2)‐supported metal catalysts have been widely utilized for various single‐step chemical transformations. However, using such catalysts for a multistep organic reaction in one reaction system has rarely been achieved. Here, we investigate multiple active sites on Pd−CeO2 catalysts and optimize them for a multistep reaction of C−C cross‐coupling and alcohol oxidation. Atomic‐level imaging and spectroscopic studies reveal that metallic Pd0 and Pd−CeO2 interface are active sites on Pd−CeO2 for C−C cross‐coupling and oxidation, respectively. These active sites are controlled under the structural evolution of Pd−CeO2 during reductive heat‐treatments. Accordingly, we found that optimally reduced Pd−CeO2 catalysts containing ∼1.5 nm‐sized Pd nanoclusters with both sites in balance are ideal for multistep chemical transformations in one reaction system. Our strategy to design s…