 This study investigated the reaction mechanism of COXR, oxidation of CO or CO2 to produce methanol. A single co-atom was used as a catalyst to observe the reaction. The results showed that the reaction rate of COXR was much slower than CO2R due to the lower energy barriers involved in the formation of a hydrogen-coordinated complex. This complex was found to be responsible for the slow reaction rate of COXR. This article was authored by Cinewen, Jianjiao, Zunning Li, and others.