Conversion of Ethanol via C-C Splitting on Noble Metal Surfaces in Room-Temperature Liquid-Phase.

Rh-catalyzed decomposition of ethanol into CO and CH via C-C bond splitting is reported in room-temperature liquid phase under atmospheric pressure. Mechanistic investigations show that C-C bond splitting of ethanol on the noble metal surface is rapid, and CO forms through the oxidation of α-CH O and β-CH fragments after C-C bond splitting, while CH forms through the hydrogenation of β-CH utilizing H atoms from -OH, β-CH , and α-CH OH fragments.