Dihydroxylation of Naphthalene by Molecular Oxygen and Water Using TiO2 Photocatalysts

Abstract

Abstract TiO2-catalyzed photo-reaction of naphthalene was investigated in mixed solutions of acetonitrile and water. The main products were confirmed to be 1,8- and 1,3-dihydroxynaphthalene, without any 1- or 2-naphthol being detected. Both O2 and H2O were essential to yield the products. The quantum efficiency of the 1,8- and 1,3-dihydroxynaphthalene products reached about 10% at 365 nm after irradiated for 1 h.