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-CHxO and β-CHx fragments after C–C bond splitting, while CH4 forms through the hydrogenation of β-CHx utilizing H atoms from −OH, β-CHx, and α-CHxOH fragments.