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Photocatalytic synthesis of ethylene glycol and hydrogen from methyl tert-butyl ether

Author

Listed:
  • Yong Peng

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Nils Rockstroh

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Jabor Rabeah

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock)
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Stephan Bartling

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Xingchao Dai

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Xuetao Qin

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Trang Minh Pham

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Annette-Enrica Surkus

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Robert Thomas

    (University of Rostock)

  • Hermann Seitz

    (University of Rostock
    University of Rostock)

  • Henrik Junge

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

  • Matthias Beller

    (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse e.V. (LIKAT Rostock))

Abstract

In this work, we have developed a green and sustainable strategy for the synthesis of ethylene glycol, which is a highly valuable compound in chemical industry. In contrast to the currently applied energy-intensive process based on petroleum resources, this work demonstrates the photocatalytic pathway of methanol dehydrogenative coupling to produce ethylene glycol, utilizing methyl tert-butyl ether as the substrate to protect the hydroxyl group against oxidation. Photocatalytic tests reveal efficient C-C coupling of methyl tert-butyl ether with Pt/C-TiO(B)-650 catalyst under light irradiation, with the target product 1,2-di-tert-butoxyethane at a selectivity of 67% and a Pt-based turnover frequency of 2754 h−1. Scale up test demonstrates high stability of the system, reaching an accumulated turnover number of 120 000 as well as isolation of 13 g of the coupling product after 130 h irradiation. The target ethylene glycol is obtained by the hydrolysis of the dimer using the regenerable acidic resin catalyst.

Suggested Citation

  • Yong Peng & Nils Rockstroh & Jabor Rabeah & Stephan Bartling & Xingchao Dai & Xuetao Qin & Trang Minh Pham & Annette-Enrica Surkus & Robert Thomas & Hermann Seitz & Henrik Junge & Matthias Beller, 2025. "Photocatalytic synthesis of ethylene glycol and hydrogen from methyl tert-butyl ether," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59125-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59125-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xian Zhou & Xiaofeng Gao & Mingjie Liu & Zirui Gao & Xuetao Qin & Wenhao Xu & Shitong Ye & Wenhua Zhou & Haoan Fan & Jing Li & Shurui Fan & Lei Yang & Jie Fu & Dequan Xiao & Lili Lin & Ding Ma & Siyu , 2022. "Photocatalytic dehydrogenative C-C coupling of acetonitrile to succinonitrile," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
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    3. Yuman Qin & Robin Cauwenbergh & Suman Pradhan & Rakesh Maiti & Philippe Franck & Shoubhik Das, 2023. "Straightforward synthesis of functionalized γ-Lactams using impure CO2 stream as the carbon source," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
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