Hydrogenation of oxalic acid using light-assisted water electrolysis for the production of an alcoholic compound

Abstract

We demonstrate the production of glycolic acid, an industrially important alcoholic compound, via the electrochemical reduction of oxalic acid, which is procurable from biomass, and electro-oxidation of water with the help of renewable light energy for the first time.

Carbon-neutral energy cycles using alcohols

“…Next, we investigated effects of specific surface area on the product selectivity from the aspect of the amount of electrons consumed for production of GO, GC, and H 2 . Electrochemical reduction of OX to GC proceeded through successive two-electron reductions as described above, and H 2 production by proton reduction is only regarded as a side reaction [ 21 ]. Thus, target reactions in the system were reduction of OX to GO, reduction of GO to GC, and reduction of protons to H 2 .…”

“…These results are the first demonstration of CO 2 -free power circulation using an alcohol/acid redox couple. Recently, direct solar energy storage was also achieved by applying photoanode for water oxidation [ 21 ].…”

Temperature-Dependent Electrosynthesis of C2Oxygenates from Oxalic Acid Using Gallium Tin Oxides

“…Oxalic acid (OA) is a C 2 product from CO 2 electroreduction with high selectivity and can be further reduced to value-added products such as glycine, glyoxylic acid (GX), and glycolic acid (GC). − GX and GC are 2-electron and 4-electron reduction products of OA as well as feedstocks of various chemicals such as glycine and polymer materials. − Conventional methods for GX and GC production include glyoxal oxidation, ozone oxidation, and formaldehyde carbonylation, which require extra energy input and multiple procedures. Electroreduction of OA offers the sustainable production of green GX and GC, not only being environmentally friendly but also saving cost by simplifying the process. ,,− …”

“…OA electroreduction remains a challenging task because it usually proceeds in acidic conditions, and the active catalysts often corrode in acidic media, causing instability. , Current research works on OA electroreduction mainly focus on Ti-based and Pb-based materials (Table S1). ,,,− ,− Owing to poor stability in acidic media, other metal-based materials, especially Ga, are not suitable in OA electroreduction. Although Ti-based catalysts are reported for GC production, they show highly competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media, which tremendously affects the performance. ,,, Pb-based catalysts with high HER overpotential could suppress HER, which are suitable in catalyzing OA conversion to GX; however, in long-term electrolysis, Pb adsorbs OA on the surface, toxifying the active sites and leading to reduction of productivity. , Thus, an acid-stable electrocatalyst with low HER performance is critical to OA electroreduction.…”

Effect of the Wells–Dawson phosphomolybdic heteropolyacid on the conversion of glucose into glycolic acid

“…Particularly, GlycA is an important raw material for polyglycolic acid and also can be used as a cosmetic raw material and in organic solvents. 3,4 Now, GlycA is mainly prepared using chloroacetic acid or hydroxy acetonitrile; however, not only this method has the problem of equipment corrosion, but also the raw materials are expensive. 5 Therefore, the preparation of GlycA by catalytic hydrolysis of inexpensive and renewable cellulose has important industrial significance.…”