Nanostructured rutile TiO2 for selective photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes in water

Selective photocatalytic oxidation of aromatic alcohols to aldehydes was performed in water in the presence of TiO2 rutile photocatalysts that exhibited a low degree of crystallinity. The nanostructured rutile samples, prepared ex TiCl4 at very low temperature, ensured a selectivity toward the aldehyde 3 to 4-fold higher than the commercial rutile tested (Sigma-Aldrich).