Molecular oxygen-promoted reconstruction of molybdenum phosphide enables selective electrochemical oxidation of p-chlorotoluene

It is highly challenging to develop efficient catalysts for selective oxidation of p-chlorotoluene (PCT) into p-chlorobenzaldehyde (PCB) as PCB easily undergoes over-oxidation. Herein, a new electrochemical strategy was developed for selective oxidation of PCT with high selectivity toward PCB. A self-standing molybdenum phosphide (MoP) anode was directly synthesized on carbon cloth with the assistance of polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The as-synthesized MoP anode with 3D network structure, exhibits the selectivity of 91.4% toward PCB at the conversion of 75.6% in acetonitrile solution containing 0.1 M Bu 4 NClO 4 . During electrochemical oxidation, molecular oxygen-induced transformation of MoP into MoO 2 initiates the activation of PCT into ClC 6 H 5 CH 2 + . The ClC 6 H 5 CH 2 + reacts with molecular O 2 over electrode surface, producing the product of PCB. This work offers a promising strategy to achieve selective oxidation of C H bond based on electrochemical environment.