Photocatalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene to aniline over titanium(iv) oxide using various saccharides instead of hydrogen gas

Bare TiO2 photocatalyst almost quantitatively converted nitrobenzene to aniline with various saccharides without the use of hydrogen gas. Although aniline was formed when any saccharide was used, the use of disaccharides (lactose, maltose, and sucrose) decreased the reaction rate. The rate of photocatalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene using saccharides is determined by the degradation rate of saccharides at positive holes. When glucose was used, formic acid, arabinose, glyceraldehyde and lactic acid were obtained, which are products that are consistent with the product of the photocatalytic oxidation of glucose.

Automated summary

The TiO2 photocatalyst can quantitatively convert nitrobenzene to aniline without the use of hydrogen gas when used with various saccharides. However, the use of disaccharides such as lactose, maltose, and sucrose reduces the reaction rate. The rate of photocatalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene with saccharides is determined by the degradation rate of saccharides at positive holes. When glucose is used, products such as formic acid, arabinose, glyceraldehyde, and lactic acid are obtained, which are consistent with the products of the photocatalytic oxidation of glucose.