Direct conversion of formaldehyde to ethylene glycol via photocatalytic carbon-carbon coupling over bismuth vanadate

We report a novel and direct conversion of formaldehyde into C-2 compounds, in particular ethylene glycol, via photocatalytic carbon-carbon coupling over BiVO4, a visible-light-responsive and robust semiconductor. The generation of V4+ on BiVO4 surfaces enhanced the photocatalytic formation of C-2 compounds.