Porous Heteroatom‐Doped Carbons: Efficient Catalysts for Selective Oxidation of Alcohols by Activated Persulfate

• Published in: ChemCatChem Vol. 14; no. 20
• Main Authors: Oliveira, Rafael L., Nicinski, Krzysztof, Pisarek, Marcin, Kaminska, Agnieszka, Thomas, Arne, Pasternak, Grzegorz, Colmenares, Juan C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 21.10.2022
• Subjects: Activated carbon; activation of persulfate; Alcohols; Aldehydes; Catalysts; doped carbon; metal-free catalysis; Oxidation; oxidation of alcohols; porous carbon; Selectivity; Substrates
• ISSN: 1867-3880; 1867-3899
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202200787

Aldehydes are essential chemicals for industrial feedstock. However, the traditional processes to produce these chemicals face many limitations, such as waste generation, low selectivity, or high cost. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a group of porous heteroatom (P, B or N)‐doped carbons and their use as catalysts for the oxidation of primary alcohols by activating peroxydisulfate. Among the heteroatom‐doped carbons, porous N‐doped carbons pyrolyzed at 700 or 800 °C show the highest activity. Experimental studies were performed suggesting a considerable contribution of a non‐radical oxidation process. Furthermore, N‐doped carbons can act as a catalyst in the oxidation of a large substrate scope of substituted alcohols. We report the synthesis and characterization of a group of porous heteroatom (P, B or N)‐doped carbons and their use as catalysts for the oxidation of primary alcohols by activating peroxydisulfate. Porous N‐doped carbons show the highest activity. The studies suggest a considerable contribution of a non‐radical oxidation process. N‐doped carbon acts as a catalyst in the oxidation of other alcohols.