Ag-Based Catalysts in Heterogeneous Selective Oxidation of Alcohols: A Review

Alcohols (bioalcohols) is a class of chemicals that are used as a feedstock for the manufacturing of a large number of valuable intermediates in industrially important processes. Currently, sustainable technologies for selective conversion of alcohols utilize green oxidants, mainly, ambient air or oxygen. Due to the high affinity of oxygen towards silver, the latter serves as an active component of supported heterogeneous catalysts. In this review, we consider Ag-based catalysts that participate in gas- or liquid-phase oxidation of alcohols. Oxidation of methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, benzyl and allyl alcohols is mostly considered. A particular attention is paid to selective photooxidation of alcohols over Ag-based catalysts. We discuss the catalyst composition in terms of (1) the state of the active component, (2) the nature of the substrate, (3) support nature, and (4) the strength of the metal-support interactions.