Noble metal-based electrocatalysts for selective alcohol oxidation to high-value chemicals: from C-C bond retention mechanism to catalyst design.

The electrocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived alcohols has emerged as a sustainable route for green hydrogen production, offering a compelling alternative to conventional water electrolysis by replacing the energy-intensive oxygen evolution reaction with thermodynamically more favorable alcohol oxidation reactions. However, the practical application of this technology faces a critical scientific challenge arising from the competition between C-C bond retention and cleavage pathways. The cleavage pathway generates low-value products (e.g., formic acid, CO2) and causes severe catalyst poisoning due to carbon-containing intermediate adsorption, whereas the retention pathway yields high-value aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids. Achieving highly selective C-C bond retention is therefore essential for realizing the synergistic benefits of energy savings and product valorization. This review systematically explores recent research advances in selective alcohol oxidation to high-value chemicals, with an emphasis on the mechanism of C-C bond cleavage or retention pathways, as well as catalyst design based on noble metal materials. These design strategies collectively provide a solid foundation for achieving highly selective C-C bond retention in alcohol electrooxidation. With further advancements in this field, alcohol oxidation-assisted hydrogen production technology is expected to play an increasingly important role in future green hydrogen systems and biomass refining, contributing to the transition toward a sustainable and low-carbon chemical industry.