Protons Selectively Regulate the Asymmetric Activation of the C─H Bonds of Methanol Molecules

The activation of C─H bonds under mild conditions is a crucial step in the conversion of organic molecules. However, the simultaneous activation of C─H bonds in methanol can result in excessive oxidation, thereby diminishing the selectivity for formaldehyde production. We achieved selective activation of the C─H bonds in methanol under mild conditions by adjusting the proton concentration in an anhydrous methanol solution, which significantly enhanced the dehydrogenation rate of methanol. Additionally, we constructed related molecular models to identify the sites of asymmetric oxidation, providing new insights for further studies on C─H bond activation.