Ag‐doped TiO2 enhanced photocatalytic oxidation of 1,2‐cyclohexanediol

The superiority of silver‐doped titania for photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) of organic compounds inspired us to investigate PCO of 1,2‐cyclohexanediol. Ag/TiO₂ was prepared, characterized (nanosize 19–24 nm) and used for oxidation of 1,2‐cyclohexanediol (1) in acetonitrile. The photolysate was analyzed using GC and GC/MS techniques. The PCO products are 2‐hydroxylcyclohexanone (2), 1,2‐cyclohexandione (3), 2‐cyclohexenone(4), cyclohexanone (5), and adipic acid (6).The formation of electron–hole pair at the surface of the catalyst followed by oxidation reactions was the suggested mechanism. Kinetic studies revealed first‐order mechanism for PCO of 1 and rate constant (k) = ?0.145 h^–1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.