Oxidation of Alcohols with Molecular Oxygen on Solid Catalysts

Synergistic catalysis within core-shell Fe3O4@SiO2 functionalized with triethylene glycol (TEG)-imidazolium ionic liquid and tetramethylpiperidine N-oxyl (TEMPO) boosting selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols

HYPOTHESIS

It is expected that incorporation of 2, 2, 6, 6-tetra-methyl piperidine-N-oxyl radical (TEMPO) and an imidazolium bromide bearing hydrophilic triethylene glycol (TEG) groups on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core-shell may not only result in a novel highly water-dispersible/magnetically separable multi-functional catalyst system for metal-free aerobic oxidation of alcohols, which operates through a synergistic relay pathway, but it could potentially provide a strong platform for simultaneous separation and recycling of all components.

EXPERIMENTS

The catalyst was prepared by anchoring TEMPO moieties onto a magnetic core-shell Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ functionalized with an ionic liquid bearing TEG groups. The materials was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, thermal gravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. The performance of the catalyst was evaluated and quantitatively measured in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water.

FINDINGS

The catalyst exhibited excellent and stable colloidal dispersion in water and high performance in the aerobic oxidation of various types of alcohols under metal- and halogen-free reaction conditions. As hypothesized, strong synergistic effect between functionalized components was seen in the described reaction. The catalyst displayed excellent dual-adjustable-selectivity in the oxidation of primary alcohols to either the corresponding aldehydes or carboxylic acids by tuning the reaction solvent and/or reaction time and excellent recycling behavior through a "double-separation-strategy".

Atomically Precise Preorganization of Open Metal Sites on Gold Nanoclusters with High Catalytic Performance

Gold nanoclusters with surface open sites are crucial for practical applications in catalysis. We have developed a surface geometric mismatch strategy by using mixed ligands of different type of hindrance. When bulky phosphine Ph₃ P and planar dipyridyl amine (Hdpa) are simultaneously used, steric repulsion between the ligands will reduce the ligand coverage of gold clusters. A well-defined access granted gold nanocluster [Au₂₃ (Ph₃ P)₁₀ (dpa)₂ Cl](SO₃ CF₃ )₂ (Au₂₃ , dpa=dipyridylamido) has been successfully synthesized. Single crystal structural determination reveals that Au₂₃ has eight uncoordinated gold atoms in the shape of a distorted bicapped triangular prism. The accessibility of the exposed Au atoms has been confirmed quantitatively by luminescent titration with 2-naphthalenethiol. This cluster has excellent performance toward selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and demonstrates excellent stability due to the protection of negatively charged multidentate ligand dpa.

Pd Nanoparticles-Loaded Vinyl Polymer Gels: Preparation, Structure and Catalysis

Four vinyl polymer gels (VPGs) were synthesized by free radical polymerization of divinylbenzene, ethane-1,2-diyl dimethacrylate, and copolymerization of divinylbenzene with styrene, and ethane-1,2-diyl dimethacrylate with methyl methacrylate, as supports for palladium nanoparticles. VPGs obtained from divinylbenzene and from divinylbenzene with styrene had spherical shapes while those obtained from ethane-1,2-diyl dimethacrylate and from ethane-1,2-diyl dimethacrylate with methyl methacrylate did not have any specific shapes. Pd(OAc)2 was impregnated onto VPGs and reduced to form Pd0 nanoparticles within VPGs. The structures of Pd0-loaded VPGs were analyzed by XRD, TEM, and nitrogen gas adsorption. Pd0-loaded VPGs had nanocrystals of Pd0 within and on the surface of the polymeric supports. Pd0/VPGs efficiently catalyzed the oxidation/disproportionation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde/toluene, where activity and selectivity between benzaldehyde and toluene varied, depending on the structure of VPG and the weight percentage loading of Pd0. The catalysts were stable and Pd leaching to liquid phase did not occur. The catalysts were separated and reused for five times without any significant decrease in the catalytic activity.

Selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols in the presence of C3N4 photocatalysts derived from the polycondensation of melamine, cyanuric and barbituric acids

A set of C3N4 samples has been prepared by using melamine, cyanuric acid and barbituric acid as the precursors. The materials were subjected both to physical and chemical characterization and were used as photocatalysts for the selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols in water suspension under UV and visible irradiation. The photoactivity of the materials versus the partial oxidation of four substituted benzyl alcohols was investigated. The type and position of the substituents in the aromatic molecule influenced conversion and selectivity to the corresponding aldehyde. The presence of barbituric and cyanuric acids in the preparation method has changed the graphitic-C3N4 structure, and therefore both the characteristics of the material and the ability of light to activate the surface of the photocatalyst. The most active material prepared in the presence of melamine and cyanuric acid showed a remarkable selectivity towards the aldehyde even under visible irradiation.

In situ supported Pd NPs on biodegradable chitosan/agarose modified magnetic nanoparticles as an effective catalyst for the ultrasound assisted oxidation of alcohols and activities against human breast cancer

In this content, a green approach for the ultrasound promoted in situ immobilization of Pd NPs over biodegradable chitosan/agarose modified ferrite NP (Fe₃O₄@CS-Agarose/Pd) is developed. The structural and physicochemical features of the material were estimated using advanced analytical techniques like FT-IR, ICP-OES, FESEM, EDS, XRD, TEM and VSM. The magnetic material was catalytically explored in the oxidation of alcohols under ultrasonic waves. Sonication had a significant role in enhancing the catalytic performance in the alcohol's oxidation as compared to conventional heating. The heterogeneous nanocatalyst was efficiently recycled up to 10 times with nominal loss in catalytic activity. Towards the biological applications, the Fe₃O₄@CS-Agarose/Pd nanocomposite showed high antioxidant activities against DPPH free radicals, comparable to standard butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In addition, it exhibited excellent cytotoxicity in terms of % cell viability against breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7), breast carcinoma (Hs 578Bst), infiltrating ductal cell carcinoma (Hs 319.T), and metastatic carcinoma (MDA-MB-453) cell lines. The best anti-breast cancer potential of the nanocomposite was observed in Hs 319.T cell line.

NHC ligand-based half-sandwich iridium complexes: synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in acceptorless dehydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation

Half-sandwich iridium complexes exhibited high catalytic activity for acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols and transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

N,P co-doped microporous carbon as a metal-free catalyst for the selective oxidation of alcohols by air in water

NPMCs are fabricated from one-step pyrolysis of an aerogel precursor derived from direct polymerization of p-phenylenediamine with phytic acid, which can be used as metal-free catalysts for highly selective oxidation of alcohols by air in water.

The dehydrogenative oxidation of aryl methanols using an oxygen bridged [Cu–O–Se] bimetallic catalyst

Herein, we report a new protocol for the dehydrogenative oxidation of aryl methanols using the cheap and commercially available catalyst CuSeO₃·2H₂O.

Direct Oxidation of Primary Alcohols to Carboxylic Acids

Oxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids is a fundamental transformation in organic chemistry, yet despite its simplicity, extensive use, and relationship to pH, it remains a subject of active research for synthetic organic chemists. Since 2013, a great number of new methods have emerged that utilize transition-metal compounds as catalysts for acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols to carboxylates. The interest in this reaction is explained by its atom economy, which is in accord with the principles of sustainability and green chemistry. Therefore, the methods for the direct synthesis of carboxylic acids from alcohols is ripe for a modern survey, which we provide in this review.

1 Introduction

2 Thermodynamics of Primary Alcohol Oxidation

3 Oxometalate Oxidation

4 Transfer Dehydrogenation

5 Acceptorless Dehydrogenation

6 Electrochemical Methods

7 Outlook

Recent Advances in Glycerol Catalytic Valorization: A Review

Once a biorefinery is ready to operate, the main processed materials need to be completely evaluated in terms of many different factors, including disposal regulations, technological limitations of installation, the market, and other societal considerations. In biorefinery, glycerol is the main by-product, representing around 10% of biodiesel production. In the last few decades, the large-scale production of biodiesel and glycerol has promoted research on a wide range of strategies in an attempt to valorize this by-product, with its transformation into added value chemicals being the strategy that exhibits the most promising route. Among them, C3 compounds obtained from routes such as hydrogenation, oxidation, esterification, etc. represent an alternative to petroleum-based routes for chemicals such as acrolein, propanediols, or carboxylic acids of interest for the polymer industry. Another widely studied and developed strategy includes processes such as reforming or pyrolysis for energy, clean fuels, and materials such as activated carbon. This review covers recent advances in catalysts used in the most promising strategies considering both chemicals and energy or fuel obtention. Due to the large variety in biorefinery industries, several potential emergent valorization routes are briefly summarized.

Investigations of Hydrocarbon Species on Solid Catalysts by Inelastic Neutron Scattering

The status of surface species on solid catalysts during heterogeneous catalysis is often mysterious. Investigations of these surface species are crucial to deconvolute the reaction network and design more efficient catalysts. Vibrational spectroscopy is a powerful technique to study the interactions between surface species and the catalysts and infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies have been widely applied to study reaction mechanisms in heterogeneous catalysis. However, IR/Raman spectra are difficult to model computationally and important vibrational modes may be IR-, Raman- (or both) inactive due to restrictions by optical selection rules. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) is another form of vibrational spectroscopy and relies on the scattering of neutrons by the atomic nucleus. A consequence of this is that INS is not subject to any optical selection rules and all vibrations are measurable in principle. INS spectroscopy has been used to investigate surface species on catalysts in a wide range of heterogeneous catalytic reactions. In this mini-review, we focus on applications of INS in two important fields: petrochemical reactions and C1 chemistry. We introduce the basic principles of the INS technique, followed by a discussion of its application in investigating two key catalytic systems: (i) the behaviour of hydrocarbons on metal-oxide and zeolite catalysts and (ii) the formation of hydrocarbonaceous species on methane reforming and Fischer–Tropsch catalysts. The power of INS in studying these important catalytic systems is demonstrated.

Ambient Temperature CO Oxidation Using Palladium–Platinum Bimetallic Catalysts Supported on Tin Oxide/Alumina

A series of Pt-based catalysts were synthesised and investigated for ambient temperature CO oxidation with the aim to increase catalytic activity and improve moisture resistance through support modification. Initially, bimetallic PtPd catalysts supported on alumina were found to exhibit superior catalytic activity compared with their monometallic counterparts for the reaction. Following an investigation into the effect of Pt/Pd ratio, a composition of 0.1% Pt/0.4% Pd was selected for further studies. Following this, SnO2/Al2O3 supports were synthesised from a variety of tin oxide sources. Catalytic activity was improved using sodium stannate and tin oxalate precursors compared with a traditional tin oxide slurry. Catalytic activity versus tin concentration was found to vary significantly across the three precursors, which was subsequently investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Steric Effects of Mesoporous Silica Supported Bimetallic Au-Pt Catalysts on the Selective Aerobic Oxidation of Aromatic Alcohols

Three series of catalysts consisting of gold (Au), platinum (Pt), or gold-platinum bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled sizes (Au NPs 10 ± 2 nm, Pt NPs 6 ± 2 nm) anchored on hierarchical micro-/meso-/macroporous silica were successfully developed and systematically evaluated for the selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes. The catalysts were prepared by the sol-immobilization method using as-made Au NPs and/or Pt NPs colloids; the silica supports were prepared with controlled pore structures and the hierarchical porous structures of catalysts were created by controllable desilication via the alkaline solution of the metal colloids. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and these results showed no synergistic effect between Au and Pt on boosting the catalytic performance, whereas they demonstrated a clear dependence of catalytic conversions and reaction rates on the structural porosity of Au-Pt bimetallic catalysts. Our findings could potentially inspire peer researchers and scientists to develop designer porous catalysts and processes in the selective organic conversions.

Selective oxidation of alcohols and sulfides via O2 using a Co(ii) salen complex catalyst immobilized on KCC-1: synthesis and kinetic study

The aim of this study was to immobilize a Co(ii) salen complex on KCC-1 as a catalyst that can be recovered (Co(ii) salen complex@KCC-1). Field-emission transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and XRD were used to confirm the structure and chemical nature of Co(ii) salen complex@KCC-1. The oxidation efficiency was obtained for an extensive range of sulfides and alcohols using this sustainable catalyst, alongside O₂ as an oxygen source and isobutyraldehyde (IBA) as an oxygen acceptor, with superior selectivity and conversion for the relevant oxidation products (sulfoxides and ketones or aldehydes) under moderate conditions. The μ-oxo and peroxo groups on the ligands of the Co complex appeared to be responsible for the superior activity of the catalyst. Essential factors behind the oxidation of alcohol and sulfoxides were investigated, including the catalyst, solvent, and temperature. In this paper, molecular oxygen (O₂) was used as a green oxidant. Furthermore, kinetic studies were conducted, revealing a first-order reaction for the oxidation of both benzyl alcohol and sulfide. The reaction progressed at mild temperature, and the catalyst could be easily recovered and reused for numerous consecutive runs under the reaction conditions, without any substantial reduction in the functionality of the catalytic system.

Heterogeneous photocatalytic anaerobic oxidation of alcohols to ketones by Pt-mediated hole oxidation

We report a platinum nanocluster/graphitic carbon nitride (Pt/g-C₃N₄) composite solid catalyst with a photocatalytic anaerobic oxidation function for highly active and selective transformation of alcohols to ketones. The desirable products were successfully obtained in good to excellent yields from various functionalized alcohols at room temperature, including unactivated alcohols. Mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction could proceed through a Pt-mediated hole oxidation initiating an α-alcohol radical intermediate followed by a two-electron oxidation pathway. The merit of this strategy offers a general approach towards green and sustainable organic synthetic chemistry.

Eco-Friendly and Solvent-Less Mechanochemical Synthesis of ZrO2–MnCO3/N-Doped Graphene Nanocomposites: A Highly Efficacious Catalyst for Base-Free Aerobic Oxidation of Various Types of Alcohols

In recent years, the development of green mechanochemical processes for the synthesis of new catalysts with higher catalytic efficacy and selectivity has received manifest interest. In continuation of our previous study, in which graphene oxide (GRO) and highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) based nanocomposites were prepared and assessed, herein, we have explored a facile and solvent-less mechanochemical approach for the synthesis of N-doped graphene (NDG)/mixed metal oxide (MnCO3–ZrO2) ((X%)NDG/MnCO3–ZrO2), as the (X%)NDG/MnCO3–ZrO2 nano-composite was synthesized using physical grinding of separately synthesized NDG and pre-calcined (300 °C) MnCO3–ZrO2 via green milling method. The structures of the prepared materials were characterized in detail using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis. Besides, the obtained nanocomposites were employed as heterogeneous oxidation catalyst for the alcohol oxidation using green oxidant O2 without involving any surfactants or bases. The reaction factors were systematically studied during the oxidation of benzyl alcohol (PhCH2OH) as the model reactant to benzaldehyde (PhCHO). The NDG/MnCO3–ZrO2 exhibits premium specific activity (66.7 mmol·g−1·h−1) with 100% conversion of PhCH2OH and > 99.9% selectivity to PhCHO after only 6 min. The mechanochemically prepared NDG based nanocomposite exhibited notable improvement in the catalytic efficacy as well as the surface area compared to the pristine MnCO3–ZrO2. Under the optimal circumstances, the NDG/MnCO3–ZrO2 catalyst could selectively catalyze the aerobic oxidation of a broad array of alcohols to carbonyls with full convertibility without over-oxidized side products like acids. The NDG/MnCO3–ZrO2 catalyst were efficiently reused for six subsequent recycling reactions with a marginal decline in performance and selectivity.

Superior Acetone Selectivity in Gas Mixtures by Catalyst-Filtered Chemoresistive Sensors

Acetone is a toxic air pollutant and a key breath marker for non-invasively monitoring fat metabolism. Its routine detection in realistic gas mixtures (i.e., human breath and indoor air), however, is challenging, as low-cost acetone sensors suffer from insufficient selectivity. Here, a compact detector for acetone sensing is introduced, having unprecedented selectivity (>250) over the most challenging interferants (e.g., alcohols, aldehydes, aromatics, isoprene, ammonia, H2, and CO). That way, acetone is quantified with fast response (<1 min) down to, at least, 50 parts per billion (ppb) in gas mixtures with such interferants having up to two orders of magnitude higher concentration than acetone at realistic relative humidities (RH = 30-90%). The detector consists of a catalytic packed bed (30 mg) of flame-made Al2O3 nanoparticles (120 m2 g-1) decorated with Pt nanoclusters (average size 9 nm) and a highly sensitive chemo-resistive sensor made by flame aerosol deposition and in situ annealing of nanostructured Si-doped ε-WO3 (Si/WO3). Most importantly, the catalytic packed bed converts interferants continuously enabling highly selective acetone sensing even in the exhaled breath of a volunteer. The detector exhibits stable performance over, at least, 145 days at 90% RH, as validated by mass spectrometry.

Visible-Light-Activated C-C Bond Cleavage and Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohols Employing BiMXO5 (M=Mg, Cd, Ni, Co, Pb, Ca and X=V, P)

The synthesis, structure, optical and photocatalytic studies of a family of compounds with the general formula, BiMXO₅ ; M=Mg, Cd, Ni, Co, Pb, Ca and X=V, P is presented. The compounds were prepared by regular solid-state reaction of constituents in the temperature range of 720-810 °C for 24 h. The compounds were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) methods. The Rietveld refinement of the PXRD patterns have been carried out to establish the structure. The optical absorption spectra along with the colors in daylight have been explained employing the allowed d-d transition. In addition, the observed colors of some of the V⁵⁺ containing compounds were explained using metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) from the partially filled transition-metal 3d orbitals to the empty 3d orbitals of V⁵⁺ ions. The near IR (NIR) reflectivity studies indicate that many compounds exhibit good NIR reflectivity, suggesting that these compounds can be employed as 'cool pigments'. The experimentally determined band gaps of the prepared compounds were found to be suitable to exploit them for visible light activated photocatalysis. Photocatalytic C-C bond cleavage of alkenes and aerobic oxidation of alcohols were investigated employing visible light, which gave good yields and selectivity. The present study clearly demonstrated the versatility of the Paganoite family of compounds (BiMXO₅ ) towards new colored inorganic materials, visible-light photocatalysts and 'cool pigments'.

DFT study of α-Keggin, lacunary Keggin, and ironII-VI substituted Keggin polyoxometalates: the effect of oxidation state and axial ligand on geometry, electronic structures and oxygen transfer

Herein, the geometry, electronic structure, Fe-ligand bonding nature and simulated IR spectrum of α-Keggin, lacunary Keggin, iron(ii/iii)-substituted and the important oxidized high-valent iron derivatives of Keggin type polyoxometalates have been studied using the density functional theory (DFT/OPTX-PBE) method and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The effects of different Fe oxidation states (ii-vi) and H2O/OH-/O2- ligand interactions have been addressed concerning their geometry and electronic structures. It has been revealed that the d-atomic orbitals of Fe and 2p orbitals of polyoxometalate's oxygen-atoms contribute in ligand binding. Compared with other high valent species, the considered polyoxometalate system of [PW11O39(FeVO)]4-, possesses a high reactivity for oxygen transfer.

Glycerol Oxidation over Supported Gold Catalysts: The Combined Effect of Au Particle Size and Basicity of Support

Gold nanoparticles supported on various oxides (CeO2, CeO2/TiO2, MgO, MgO/TiO2, La2O3, La2O3/TiO2) (with 4 wt.% Au loading) were investigated in the liquid (aqueous) phase oxidation of glycerol by molecular oxygen under mild conditions, in the presence of alkaline earth (CaO, SrO and MgO) or alkaline (NaOH) bases. Full conversion and selectivity between 38 and 68% to sodium glycerate were observed on different Au supported catalysts (Au/MgO/TiO2, Au/La2O3/TiO2, Au/CeO2 and Au/CeO2/TiO2). The combined effect of Au particle size and basicity of the support was suggested as the determining factor of the activity. Agglomeration of gold nanoparticles, found after the reaction, led to the deactivation of the catalysts, which prevents the further oxidation of sodium glycerate into sodium tartronate. Promising results were obtained with the use of alkaline earth bases (CaO, SrO, MgO), leading to the formation of free carboxylic acids instead of salts, which are formed in the presence of the more usual base, NaOH.

The Application of Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy to Investigate the Liquid Phase Hydrogenation of Benzaldehyde Over an Alumina-Supported Palladium Catalyst

The hydrogenation of benzaldehyde in cyclohexane over a 5 wt% Pd/Al2O3 catalyst at 313 K is firstly investigated at ambient pressure in a stirred batch reactor. The formation of benzyl alcohol is a facile process and a small mass imbalance is indirectly attributed to the formation of benzene as a by-product. No hydrogenolysis reaction to form toluene is observed. Secondly, examination of this reaction system by attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy enables the chemistry at the liquid/solid interface to be probed. Specifically, the ν(C=O) modes of solvated and adsorbed benzaldehyde are evident at 1712 and 1691 cm−1 respectively, providing information on how the reagent is partitioning within the reaction medium. Spectral acquisition on initiation of hydrogenation then enables the benzaldehyde → benzyl alcohol transition to be tracked. The additional presence of a broad CO stretching band of chemisorbed carbon monoxide (1852–1929 cm−1) is attributed to the hydrogen-assisted decarbonylation pathway that forms the benzene by-product.

Efficient Aerobic Oxidation of Ethyl Lactate to Ethyl Pyruvate over V2O5/g-C3N4 Catalysts

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-supported V2O5 catalysts were prepared by the impregnation pyrolysis method, and their physicochemical properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis, TGA, N2 adsorption, and H2-TPR. These catalysts exhibit extremely high activity and selectivity in the aerobic oxidation of ethyl lactate to ethyl pyruvate. The excellent catalytic performance derives from the high surface-chemisorbed oxygen species. Low calcination temperature and interaction with g-C3N4 are conducive to increasing the surface-chemisorbed oxygen species of V2O5. The optimal catalyst 13V2O5/g-C3N4 gives 96.2% conversion of ethyl lactate with 85.6% selectivity toward ethyl pyruvate in 4 h at 130 °C and 1 atm oxygen, which is significantly superior to those of previously reported V-containing catalysts. This catalyst is also stable and reusable, and the ethyl pyruvate yield is reduced by less than 10% after four runs without any regeneration treatment.

Solar-Driven Carbon Nanoreactor Coupling Gold and Platinum Nanocatalysts for Alcohol Oxidations

This research reports gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) nanocatalysts spatially confined in a porous carbon nanosphere as a new solar-driven carbon nanoreactor (CNR). The CNRs have confined size (≈100 nm), high specific surface area, and high thermal and electrical conductivity. The black color of CNR can improve the energy harvest efficiency of the solar irradiation to thermal energy within each nanoreactor. The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) on Au nanocatalysts-induced electron oscillation causes the localized heating effect inside each CNR. Therefore, the heat will be accumulated in the confined space of CNR and transferred to reaction energy to drive the alcohol oxidation on uniformly dispersed Au and Pt nanoparticles inside the nanoreactor. The energetic electrons induced by LSPR effect on the surface of Au nanoparticles are transferred to the nearby and more active Pt surface via the conductive CNR, which strongly enhances the conversion of cinnamyl alcohol from 14% on Pt-CNR up to 100% on AuPt-CNR after a 3 h reaction. Therefore, the cooperative effect of Au and Pt nanoparticles confined in the CNRs utilized in this work can largely increase the efficiency of harvesting solar energy to drive the important chemical processes.