A comparative study of Bi2WO6, CeO2, and TiO2 as catalysts for selective photo-oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds

- Photoselective oxidation of propan-2-ol and 2-buten-1-ol with UV light was studied on TiO2, CeO2, and Bi2WO6.
- Bi2WO6 catalyst showed higher selectivity to aldehyde in both photocatalytic reactions.
- Incorporation of 5% molar Ti increased reaction rate significantly whereas selectivity remained high.
- Results are discussed in terms of adsorption of alcohol and carbonyl compound on the semiconductors.