Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2025

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Field-induced reactant enrichment enhances benzyl alcohol electrooxidation coupled with hydrogen evolution
Yifan Yan1,2, Lina Chen2, Shaoyu Kang2
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing 100029 P. R. China shaomf@mail.buct.edu.cn.
None:
Electrochemical hydrogen evolution coupled with organic oxidation (EHCO) offers a promising route to improve the energy efficiency of water electrolysis by replacing the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction with value-added organic oxidation processes. However, the limited adsorption of organic reactants on the catalyst surface remains a key bottleneck, constraining the overall performance of EHCO systems. Herein, we report a field-induced enrichment strategy to enhance benzyl alcohol electrooxidation coupled with hydrogen evolution. A nanostructured cooperative catalyst composed of Au nanoparticles supported on copper oxide nanowires (Au/CuO NWs) delivers an impressive current density of 734 mA cm-2 at 1.5 V vs. RHE, along with a benzyl alcohol oxidation rate of 4.74 mmol cm-2 h-1 and a 91% faradaic efficiency for benzoic acid production. The catalyst demonstrated excellent stability and sustained industrial-level current output (>300 mA cm-2) in a membrane-free flow electrolyser. Combined experimental and COMSOL simulation results reveal that the nanowire morphology induces stronger localised electric fields, promoting the interfacial enrichment of benzyl alkoxide and the formation of OH* species, thereby improving the overall performance. This work establishes a new paradigm for leveraging local electric field effects in electrocatalyst design, advancing the development of next-generation EHCO systems.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Benzene to Cyclohexane: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction
Benzene to 1,4-Cyclohexadiene: Birch Reduction Mechanism
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes

