Transformation of Alcohols to Aldehydes and Ketones via Electrocatalysis in Seawater Mediated by a Layered Double-Hydroxide Anode.

The oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones demonstrates precise control of kinetic selectivity. Here, we propose the use of Cu0.5Ni0.5-LDH chemically modified electrodes for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones. This strategy employs seawater as both the electrolyte and solvent, exhibiting excellent tolerance toward various functional groups. The current density reaches 50 mA/cm2, and the postprocessing operations are simple, demonstrating potential for industrial-scale production. Through a series of controlled experiments, a possible reaction mechanism has been proposed.