Lh. Chen et al., PHOTOPRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN AND 1,2-PROPANEDIOL FROM AQUEOUS-METHANOLAND ETHANOL SOLUTION CATALYZED BY ZNS, Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry, 73(3), 1993, pp. 217-220
Direct photoproduction of hydrogen and 1,2-propanediol from aqueous me
thanol and ethanol solution, catalysed by ZnS, has been achieved. Trea
tment of the catalyst and the reaction temperature have an important i
nfluence on the selectivity of the desired product. Alpha-alpha radica
l cross coupling of .CH2OH and .CHOHCH3 has been proposed to lead to t
he formation of 1,2-propanediol. Electron transfer, aldehyde addition
reaction and hydrogen atom abstraction also lead to 1,2-propanediol fo
rmation.