Alkali Metal doped Iron carbides via SOMC

The development of sustainable carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategies requires efficient routes
for CO₂ valorization. Among them, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) of hydrocarbons from syngas
(CO/H₂) is central.1 Despite its industrial importance, Fe-based catalysts remain poorly understood due to
their structural complexity, which hampers rational design.2 Alkali promotion (Li, Na, K) is known to
enhance C–C coupling and suppress methane formation, yet conventional preparation routes yield
heterogeneous materials that obscure mechanistic interpretation.2,3 Surface organometallic chemistry
(SOMC) enables the preparation of well-defined Fe-based catalysts with controlled promoter
incorporation.4 Using this strategy, we graft alkali metals onto Fe₂O₃ supports, generating simplified
catalytic systems with a minimum number of spectator species.5 Catalytic tests show that alkali doping
enhances activity and C₅⁺ selectivity while suppressing methanation. To unravel the molecular origi