Electrocatalytic hydrogenation of 4-phenoxyphenol on active powders highly dispersed in a reticulated vitreous carbon electrode

Electrodes consisting of particles of a transition metal entrapped and dispersed in a reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) matrix were prepared in situ by stirring the particles in the presence of an RVC cathode. Such electrodes were used for the electrocatalytic hydrogenolysis (ECHsis) of 4-phenoxyphenol, a compound representative of the 4-O-5 type linkage in lignins. The electrolyses were carried out under galvanostatic control in aqueous 1 M NaOH. Raney nickel, nickel boride, and transition metals supported on activated charcoal or alumina were used as catalytic powders. The extent and efficiency of the ECHsis of 4-phenoxyphenol was found to depend on the catalyst and on the temperature.