Increasing Profitability of Ethanol Photoreforming by Simultaneous Production of H2 and Acetal

Abstract

Abstract Often, H2 is produced photocatalytically at the expense of sacrificial agents. When a sacrificial agent is selectively oxidized, this allows coupling of H2 production with synthesis of value‐added organic compounds. Herein, it is argued that the conversion of bioethanol into 1,1‐diethoxyethane with simultaneous H2 production increases the economic viability of photocatalysis and suggests a semiconductor material that is the most relevant for this purpose.

Keywords

• hydrogen
• organic synthesis
• photocatalysis