Photocatalytic Production of Ethanolamines and Ethylenediamines from Bio‐Polyols over a Cu/TiO2 Catalyst

Abstract

AbstractValorization of biomass‐derived polyols into high‐value‐added ethanolamines and ethylenediamines is highly attractive. Herein, we report a one‐step photocatalytic protocol to convert bio‐polyols into a 60 % yield of ethanolamines and ethylenediamines over a multifunctional Cu/TiO2 catalyst. This catalyst enables a tandem process of photocatalytic polyol C−C bond cleavage and reductive amination in one pot at room temperature, and also allows the selective conversion of various bio‐polyols and amines. Mechanistic studies revealed that photogenerated holes in TiO2 promote the retro‐aldol C−C bond cleavage or oxidative dehydrogenation of polyols, and photogenerated electrons accumulate on small‐sized Cu clusters, which facilitate the reductive amination via hydrogen transfer and prevent the H2 generation. This strategy provides new opportunities for the development of non‐noble metal photocatalysts and methods of biomass conversion under mild conditions.