Selective Toluene Electrooxidation to Benzyl Alcohol.

ABSTRACT: We report a novel electrocatalytic approach that couples water oxidation with toluene oxidation in wet DMF or DMSO electrolyte. Electrocatalytic oxidation of water, a sustainable oxygen atom source, favored hydroxyl (^·̇OH) radical formation over hydrogen peroxide and oxygen evolution because the organic solvent molecules suppressed O-O bond formation via hydrogen bonding. Water oxidation was catalyzed by laser-synthesized [NiFe]-(OH)₂ nanosheets supported on hydrophilic carbon fiber paper anodes, enhancing water oxidation activity and toluene oxygenation efficiency. Under optimized conditions in wet DMF electrolyte, toluene oxidation achieved 100% selectivity for benzyl alcohol at an unprecedented conversion yield of 87%. In wet DMSO electrolyte, 100% selectivity for

SUBMITTER: Wilsey MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12512105 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature