Bifunctional electrodes enable efficient electrochemical cycling of quinoline

The selective hydrogenation of quinoline is of great significance. To this end, we have developed an electrochemical system based on RuP 2 /Ni 2 P heterostructured electrodes, which utilizes water as the hydrogen source and quinoline/1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline as the hydrogen carrier at room temperature, with a conversion of 97 % and a selectivity of 99 % in the quinoline hydrogenation reaction, and 96 % and a selectivity of 89 % in the dehydrogenation reaction of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline. The RuP 2 /Ni 2 P heterogeneous interface significantly enhances the dissociation of water molecules. The advantages of this electrocatalytic system over conventional thermal catalysis are obvious in terms of environmental protection, energy efficiency and safety.