A new type of electrochemical oxidation of alcohols mediated with a ruthenium-dioxolene-amine complex in neutral water

Electrochemical oxidation of [Ru^II(terpy)(sq)(NH₃)]⁺ in neutral water (pH 8.0) at +0.8 V (versus SCE) generated [Ru^II(terpy)(q)(NH₂)]²⁺ and/or [Ru^III(terpy)(sq)(NH₂)]²⁺ (terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, sq = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-semiquinonate, q = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone), which played roles in hydrogen abstraction and one-electron acceptor in the catalytic oxidation of methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol affording formaldehyde, acetoaldehyde, and acetone, respectively, under the electrolysis conditions.