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Homogeneous Reforming of Aqueous Ethylene Glycol to Glycolic Acid and Pure Hydrogen Catalyzed by Pincer‐Ruthenium Complexes Capable of Metal–Ligand Cooperation
Author(s) -
Zou YouQuan,
Wolff Niklas,
Rauch Michael,
Feller Moran,
Zhou QuanQuan,
Anaby Aviel,
DiskinPosner Yael,
Shimon Linda J. W.,
Avram Liat,
BenDavid Yehoshoa,
Milstein David
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.202005450
Subject(s) - glycolic acid , ethylene glycol , ruthenium , catalysis , aqueous solution , chemistry , homogeneous catalysis , ethylene , homogeneous , metal , hydrogen , ligand (biochemistry) , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , lactic acid , genetics , receptor , thermodynamics , physics , bacteria , biology
Glycolic acid is a useful and important α‐hydroxy acid that has broad applications. Herein, the homogeneous ruthenium catalyzed reforming of aqueous ethylene glycol to generate glycolic acid as well as pure hydrogen gas, without concomitant CO 2 emission, is reported. This approach provides a clean and sustainable direction to glycolic acid and hydrogen, based on inexpensive, readily available, and renewable ethylene glycol using 0.5 mol % of catalyst. In‐depth mechanistic experimental and computational studies highlight key aspects of the PNNH‐ligand framework involved in this transformation.