Selective Oxidation of Salicylic Alcohol to Aldehyde with O-2/H-2 using Au-Pd on Titanate Nanotubes Catalysts

Alcohol oxidation with 100% selectivity to the aldehyde product (versus acid formation) is achieved at mild conditions by a tandem-type system where the intermediate species of hydrogen peroxide formation from an O-2/H-2 mixture are formed and utilised directly over Au-Pd/Ti-NT catalysts. Insitu reaction of the intermediate species minimises the parallel decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water, overcoming one of the limitations on the use of hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant.