Oxidative Degradation of Multi-Carbon Substrates by an Oxidic Cobalt Phosphate Catalyst

The development of heterogeneous catalysts to affect the activation of recalcitrant biomolecules has applications for biomass processing, biomass fuel cells, and wastewater remediation. We demonstrate that a cobalt oxygen evolution catalyst (Co-OEC) can catalyze the oxidation of carbon feedstocks completely to CO₂. A quantitative analysis of the product distribution from the oxidative degradation of the C₂ compound, ethylene glycol, is elaborated and a reaction sequence is proposed. The Co-OEC is also found to be competent for oxidatively degrading C₂₊ compounds, including glucose and lignin, to carbon dioxide at consequential Faradaic efficiencies.