Cu‐Based Catalysts for Sustainable Acetylene Hydrochlorination: Recent Advances and Perspectives

Abstract Mercury catalysts used in industrial vinyl chloride monomer production are harmful to the environment and to health. In accordance with green chemistry, replacing mercury catalysts is a logical focus of academia and industry. Although precious metal catalysts offer excellent activity, they are expensive to implement widely. Copper catalysts are a cost‐effective and eco‐friendly alternative. Recent advances such as carrier doping, ligand modification, additive inclusion, and ionic liquid integration have increased their catalytic efficiency to often equal noble metal catalysts. This article evaluates these approaches and shows their potential for sustainable catalysis.