Conversion of Ethanol via C-C Splitting on Noble Metal Surfaces in Room-Temperature Liquid-Phase.

Rh-catalyzed decomposition of ethanol into CO2 and CH4 via C-C bond splitting is reported in room-temperature liquid phase under atmospheric pressure. Mechanistic investigations show that C-C bond splitting of ethanol on the noble metal surface is rapid, and CO2 forms through the oxidation of α-CH xO and β-CH x fragments after C-C bond splitting, while CH4 forms through the hydrogenation of β-CH x utilizing H atoms from -OH, β-CH x, and α-CH xOH fragments.