Photooxidation of Benzyl Alcohols Sensitized by TiO2 in CH3CN in the Presence of Ag2SO4. Kinetic Evidence for the Involvement of Adsorption Phenomena

Abstract

X-Ring substituted benzyl alcohols are photooxidized to the corresponding aldehydes by TiO₂ in CH₃CN in the presence of Ag₂SO₄ and kinetic evidence suggests a changeover of the electron abstraction site from the aromatic moiety (X=4-CH₃O, 4-CH₃, 4-Cl, H, 3-Cl) to the hydroxylic group (X=3-CF₃, 4-CF₃), probably owing to the preferential adsorption of OH on TiO₂.