A new type of electrochemical oxidation of alcohols mediated with a ruthenium–dioxolene–amine complex in neutral water

Electrochemical oxidation of [RuII(terpy)(sq)(NH3)]+ in neutral water (pH 8.0) at +0.8 V (versus SCE) generated [RuII(terpy)(q)(NH2)]2+ and/or [RuIII(terpy)(sq)(NH2)]2+ (terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, sq = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-semiquinonate, q = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone), which played roles in hydrogen abstraction and one-electron acceptor in the catalytic oxidation of methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol affording formaldehyde, acetoaldehyde, and acetone, respectively, under the electrolysis conditions.