Heterogeneous Photocatalytic Decomposition of Benzoic Acid and Adipic Acid on Platinized TiO2 Powder. The Photo-Kolbe Decarboxylative Route to the Breakdown of the Benzene Ring and to the Production of Butane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/j150603a002

The heterogenous photocatalytic decomposition of adipic acid in deaerated aqueous solutions containing a suspension of platinized TiO2 (anatase) powder leads to the formation of CO2 and butane with lesser amounts of valeric acid and negligibly small quantities of oligomeric materials.A mechanism for this photo-Kolbe reaction, which yields different products than the electrochemical Kolbe reaction, is proposed.The photodecomposition of benzoic acid in oxygen-containing solution at platinized TiO2 was also investigated.The reaction product is predominantly CO2, with intermediate production of salicylic acid and phenol.A mechanism for the reaction based on photogeneration of hydroxyl radicals and adsorption of intermediates on the powder surface is proposed.