Frontispiz: Enabling Unconventional “Alternating-Distal” N2 Reduction Pathway for Efficient Ammonia Electrosynthesis

Abstract

An alternating–distal hybrid pathway is achieved by shifting the *NHNH₂→*NH₂NH₂ step to an *NHNH₂→*NH+NH₃ step with an amorphous CeMnO_x electrocatalyst, as reported by Qingyu Yan et al. in their Research Article (e202502957). In this unconventional process, N₂ activation is realized through π back-donation on the Mn site, while the Mn/Ce dual active sites can regulate the intermediate configurations to avoid by-product formation, thus boosting NH₃ synthesis.