Boosted oxidative dehydrogenation of lactic acid into pyruvic acid on polyvinylpyrrolidone modified Fe 2 O 3 .

We propose a novel strategy for the synthesis of pyruvic acid from bio-lactic acid in air. Polyvinylpyrrolidone can regulate the growth of the crystal face and formation of oxygen vacancies, in which a synergy of the facet and vacancies boosted the oxidative dehydrogenation of lactic acid into pyruvic acid.