Selective photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic synthesis of valuable compounds in aqueous medium.

In the past decades, photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic methods have been widely employed for the degradation of harmful compounds present both is gaseous and aqueous effluents. In the last years scientists have paid great attention to the synthesis of valuable compounds and hydrogen production. Organic syntheses are generally carried out in organic solvents, under high temperature/pressure, with toxic oxidants such as permanganate. On the other hand, photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis using water as solvent, air or water as oxidant, and sunlight as energy source, can be an efficient alternative to the traditional, non-environmentally friendly methods. This review summarizes the photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic transformations of organic molecules to commercially valuable products in water, sometimes evaluating also the contemporary H 2 production. The reaction conditions, mechanisms and kinetics are presented and discussed. Future perspectives are also given. [Display omitted] • Photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic synthesis of high added value compounds. • Photocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic partial oxidation in aqueous medium. • Overview on the use of new photo(electro)catalytic systems. • Synergistic effect between photo- and electro-catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]