Liquid phase oxidation of alcohols with oxygen: in situ monitoring of the oxidation state of Bi-promoted Pd\Al2O3

In situ, time-resolved XAS studies on a Bi–Pd\Al2O3 catalyst indicate that Pd, and Bi located on the Pd surface, are in a reduced, metallic state during the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol with molecular oxygen—a key for understanding the role of promoter in the reaction mechanism.