Cathodic oxygen-reduction-reaction-mediated active peroxide for oxidizing cyclohexanone to ε-caprolactone

Abstract

Herein, we have designed a cathodic oxygen-reduction-reaction-mediated electro-thermochemical cascade reaction system for ε-caprolactone synthesis involving selective electro-reduction of O₂ to *OOH on the electrode surface and subsequent oxidation of cyclohexanone via *OOH. The ε-caprolactone selectivity reaches 87.5% with a yield of 198.55 µmol cm⁻² h⁻¹ at 0 V vs. RHE.