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Updated: May 25, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Water oxidation intermediates applied to catalysis: benzyl alcohol oxidation
Aaron K Vannucci1, Jonathan F Hull, Zuofeng Chen
1Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
Abstract:
Four distinct intermediates, Ru(IV)═O(2+), Ru(IV)(OH)(3+), Ru(V)═O(3+), and Ru(V)(OO)(3+), formed by oxidation of the catalyst [Ru(Mebimpy)(4,4'-((HO)(2)OPCH(2))(2)bpy)(OH(2))](2+) [Mebimpy = 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl) and 4,4'-((HO)(2)OPCH(2))(2)bpy = 4,4'-bismethylenephosphonato-2,2'-bipyridine] on nanoITO (1-PO(3)H(2)) have been identified and utilized for electrocatalytic benzyl alcohol oxidation. Significant catalytic rate enhancements are observed for Ru(V)(OO)(3+) (~3000) and Ru(IV)(OH)(3+) (~2000) compared to Ru(IV)═O(2+). The appearance of an intermediate for Ru(IV)═O(2+) as the oxidant supports an O-atom insertion mechanism, and H/D kinetic isotope effects support net hydride-transfer oxidations for Ru(IV)(OH)(3+) and Ru(V)(OO)(3+). These results illustrate the importance of multiple reactive intermediates under catalytic water oxidation conditions and possible control of electrocatalytic reactivity on modified electrode surfaces.
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