Electrosynthesis of benzoquinone from phenol on α and β surfaces of PbO2

Electrosynthesis of benzoquinone from phenol was investigated in acetonitrile–water mixtures on α-PbO2 and β-PbO2 electrodes. The influence of water concentration, electrolysis potential, initial phenol concentration and temperature on benzoquinone production was also studied. Different electrocatalytic activities of α and β structures of PbO2 were determined.