biostudies-literatureUnknown12(1)Behrouzi LInstitute for Advanced Studies in Basic SciencesArtificial photosynthesis, an umbrella term, is a chemical process that biomimetics natural photosynthesis. In natural photosynthesis, electrons from the water-oxidation reaction are used for carbon dioxide reduction. Herein, we report the reducion of aldehydes and ketones to corresponding alcohols in a simple undivided cell. This reaction utilized inexpensive nickel foam electrodes (1 cm²) and LiClO₄ (0.05 M) as a commercially accessible electrolyte in an aqueous medium. Under electrochemical conditions, a series of alcohols (21 examples) produces high selectivity in good yields (up to 100%). Usage the current method, 10 mmol (1060 mg) of benzaldehyde is also successfully reduced to benzyl alcohol (757 mg, 70% isolated yield) without any by‑products. This route to alcohols matched several green chemistry principles: (a) atom economy owing to the use of H₂O as the solvent and the source of hydrogen, (b) elimination of the homogeneous metal catalyst, (c) use of smooth reaction conditions, (d) waste inhibition due to low volumetric of by-products, and (e) application of safe EtOH co-solvent. Moreover, the ability of the system to operate with alkyne and alkene compounds enhanced the practical efficiency of this process.Scientific reports19968https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9675855biostudies-literatureWater oxidation couples to electrocatalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds and unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds by nickel.PMC9675855Fotuhi MNajafpour MMZand ZKaboudin BBehrouzi LfalseWater oxidation couples to electrocatalytic hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds and unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds by nickel.Artificial photosynthesis, an umbrella term, is a chemical process that biomimetics natural photosynthesis. In natural photosynthesis, electrons from the water-oxidation reaction are used for carbon dioxide reduction. Herein, we report the reducion of aldehydes and ketones to corresponding alcohols in a simple undivided cell. This reaction utilized inexpensive nickel foam electrodes (1 cm²) and LiClO₄ (0.05 M) as a commercially accessible electrolyte in an aqueous medium. Under electrochemical conditions, a series of alcohols (21 examples) produces high selectivity in good yields (up to 100%). Usage the current method, 10 mmol (1060 mg) of benzaldehyde is also successfully reduced to benzyl alcohol (757 mg, 70% isolated yield) without any by‑products. This route to alcohols matched several green chemistry principles: (a) atom economy owing to the use of H₂O as the solvent and the source of hydrogen, (b) elimination of the homogeneous metal catalyst, (c) use of smooth reaction conditions, (d) waste inhibition due to low volumetric of by-products, and (e) application of safe EtOH co-solvent. Moreover, the ability of the system to operate with alkyne and alkene compounds enhanced the practical efficiency of this process.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Nov2025-04-18T15:00:09.063Z2025-04-07T01:25:02.963ZS-EPMC96758553640284910.1038/s41598-022-23777-7