Role of Oxygen Vacancies in the Activation of Acetaldehyde on CeO2(111) Surfaces

The enolate of acetaldehyde is conclusively identified on CeO₂(111) for the first time.  Oxygen vacancies are key to activating AcH.  Different coupling pathways and the conditions needed to activate them are suggested.  Our findings provide insights for developing ceria as a potential technological catalyst for the coupling of organic oxygenates.