Catalytic Activation of Molecular Oxygen Toward Producing Hydroxyl Radicals Controllably for Highly Selective Oxidation of Hydroxyl Compounds under Mild Conditions

Hydroxyl radicals (OH & BULL;), as one ofthe most highlyoxidizing oxidants, are difficult to utilize in chemical synthesissince they usually cause unavoidable oxidative damage with CO2 released. Here, a Co-N-C nanomaterial composedof CoN4 sites on graphitic carbon nitride was constructed,which fulfills the self-cascade activation of O-2 in water,wherein OH & BULL; is guided to generate in a controlledlevel and exerts a highly selective oxidation role for efficient synthesisof a variety of organic acids by oxidation of furan alcohols, aromaticalcohols, and fatty alcohols under mild conditions. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural(HMF) reached >99.9% conversion with 94.2% yield of 2,5-furandicarboxylicacid (FDCA) at 25 & DEG;C under atmospheric O-2 pressure.This study allows a promising utility of O-2 in a low energy-consumingway independent of light or electricity.