Photocatalytic homolysis of methyl formate to dry formaldehyde on PdO/TiO2: photocatalytic reverse Tishchenko reaction of methyl formate†
Abstract
Photocatalytic homolysis of dry methyl formate (MF) to dry formaldehyde readily takes place in high selectivity (≥80%) upon irradiation of MF vapour on PdO/TiO2 in the 385–1050 nm region. The Pd(I)Pd(0) nanoparticles supported on Ti(III)-bearing TiO2 produced during the reaction are proposed to be the active form of the catalyst for this novel reaction.