Au-catalyzed electrochemical oxidation of alcohols using an electrochemical column flow cell

A novel green system for the electrochemical oxidation of alcohols is demonstrated using a column flow cell. Voltammetric analysis revealed that the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol and benzaldehyde are promoted by using both an Au-electrode and an alkaline medium. To conduct such reaction with a column flow cell, we developed a method to modify a carbon-fiber thread with Au nanoparticles. The column carbon-fiber thread electrode modified with Au nanoparticles showed a high surface area, enabling the efficient electrochemical oxidation of various alcohols.

Automated summary

A novel green system for electrochemical oxidation of alcohols using a column flow cell was demonstrated. The oxidation of 1-phenylethanol and benzaldehyde was promoted by an Au-electrode and an alkaline medium. Modification of a carbon-fiber thread electrode with Au nanoparticles enabled efficient electrochemical oxidation of various alcohols.