Acetaldehyde partial oxidation on the Au(111) model catalyst surface: C–C bond activation and formation of methyl acetate as an oxidative coupling product

Partial oxidation of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) on the oxygen pre-covered Au(111) single crystal model catalyst was investigated via Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) and Temperature Programmed Reaction Spectroscopy (TPRS) techniques, where ozone (O3) was utilized as the oxygen delivery agent providing atomic oxygen to the reacting surface. We show that for low exposures of O3 and small surface oxygen coverages, two partial oxidation products namely, methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3) and acetic acid (CH3COOH) can be generated without the formation of significant quantities of carbon dioxide. The formation of methyl acetate as the oxidative coupling reaction product implies that oxygen pre-covered Au(111) single crystal model catalyst surface can activate C–C bonds. In addition to the generation of these products; indications of the polymerization of acetaldehyde on the gold surface were also observed as an additional reaction route competing with the partial and total oxidation pathways. The interplay between the partial oxidation, total oxidation and polymerization pathways reveals the complex catalytic chemistry associated with the interaction between the acetaldehyde and atomic oxygen on catalytic gold surfaces. [Display omitted] •Partial oxidation of acetaldehyde on the Au(111) surface was studied.•Two partial oxidation products, methyl acetate and acetic acid were detected.•Acetaldehyde oxidation on Au(111) was performed without significant CO2 formation.•Oxygen pre-covered Au(111) model catalyst surface can activate C–C bonds.