Hole Transfer through the Intermediate Formation of Hydroxyl Radicals

Hole Transfer through the Intermediate Formation of Hydroxyl Radicals 

In acidic suspensions (pH 3.0) formate and formaldehyde have been detected as the only products of the photocatalytic oxidation of acetate (cf. Fig. 7.8). 

In alkaline suspension (pH 10.6) the main products are glycolate and formate accompanied by smaller amounts of glyoxylate and formaldehyde (cf Fig. 7.9). 

In the presence of air the radicals thus formed react quickly with molecular oxygen leading to the products given in reaction (7.23) [24b]. 

Direct oxidation of acetate results in the well-known Kolbe decarboxylation with the formation of methyl radicals (reaction (7.24)) [24c]. 

---