Selective Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol in the Aqueous Phase by TiO2‐Based Photocatalysts: A Review

Abstract Production processes of benzaldehyde have been studied intensively due to its wide range of applications in the industry. The selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde by TiO 2 is promising as it can occur under mild conditions without toxic by‐products. This article mainly describes the challenges in the photooxidation of benzyl alcohol and the strategies to enhance both the efficiency and selectivity for benzaldehyde. Visible‐light response, charge separation, morphology, and reaction conditions have been listed as critical factors for this process. Different modification methods to improve the insufficient photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 , such as surface adjustments, metal/non‐metal doping, or semiconductor coupling, are presented. The perspectives for further research in this field are also discussed.