Fixation of CO₂ is crucial for mitigating the greenhouse effect and promoting the use of clean energy. In this work, Cunpu Li, Zidong Wei and colleagues developed an electrochemical method to convert CO₂ into a generalCO₂•- intermediate by utilizing the orbital-effect dominated non-transition metal catalytic electrode. The electrochemically generated CO₂•- intermediate will subsequently attack the aromatic halides through an SNAr mechanism, thereby fixing CO₂ to a series of high-value aromatic carboxylic acids. These aromatic carboxylic acids can be used in the production of various essential everyday products, such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, skincare products, dyes, and chemical raw materials, thereby promoting the advancement of carbon neutrality (see the article on pages 3816–3825).

Fixation of CO₂ is crucial for mitigating the greenhouse effect and promoting the use of clean energy. In this work, Cunpu Li, Zidong Wei and colleagues developed an electrochemical method to convert CO₂ into a generalCO₂•- intermediate by utilizing the orbital-effect dominated non-transition metal catalytic electrode. The electrochemically generated CO₂•- intermediate will subsequently attack the aromatic halides through an SNAr mechanism, thereby fixing CO₂ to a series of high-value aromatic carboxylic acids. These aromatic carboxylic acids can be used in the production of various essential everyday products, such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, skincare products, dyes, and chemical raw materials, thereby promoting the advancement of carbon neutrality (see the article on pages 3816–3825).