Chemoselective Diol Oxidation in Organometallic Fuel Cells

The conversion of ethanol into acetate under a CO2-free energy production can be conducted in alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) [1,2] and enzymatic biofuel cells (EBFCs.[3] Recently, we introduced a Rh-based organometallic fuel cell (OMFC) which operates in alkaline media and where the anode electrocatalyst is a molecular metal complex supported onto carbon.[4] The efficiency of the anode material has been significantly improved by either changing the nature of the carbon support or by modifying the chemical architecture of the organometallic Rh-compound.[5] In this presentation, the chemoselective conversion of diols (ethylene glycol and 1,2-propandiol) into the corresponding hydroxy carboxylate by means of an OMFC will be described and discussed. References [1] E. Antolini J. Power Sources 170 (2007) 1. [2] C. Bianchini, P. K. Shen Chem. Rev. 109 (2009) 4183. [3] J. A. Cracknell, K. A. Vincent, F. A. Armstrong Chem. Rev. 108 (2008) 2439. [4] S. P. Annen, V. Bambagioni, M. Bevilacqua, J. Filippi, A. Marchionni, W. Oberhauser, H. Schönberg, F. Vizza, C. Bianchini, H. Grützmacher Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 48 (2010) 7229. [5] M. Bevilacqua, C. Bianchini, A. Marchionni, J. Filippi, A. Lavacchi, H. Miller, W. Oberhauser, F. Vizza, G. Granozzi, L. Artiglia, S. P. Annen, F. Krumeich, H. Grützmacher Energy Environ. Sci. 5 (2012) 8608.