Molybdenum iron carbide-copper hybrid as efficient electrooxidation catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction and synthesis of cinnamaldehyde/benzalacetone.

[Display omitted] • ·Mo 2 C-FeCu catalyst was designed by thermal reduction and carburization of precursor. • ·cinnamaldehyde/benzalacetone were synthesized at high yields and selectivities. • · α , β -unsaturated aldehyde/ketone were electrosynthesized in gentle and green manner. • ·C C coulping reaction was fulfilled by combined electrochemical-chemical pathway. Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the efficiency limiting half-reaction in water electrolysis for green hydrogen production due to the 4-electron multistep process with sluggish kinetics. The electrooxidation of thermodynamically more favorable organics accompanied by C C coupling is a promising way to synthesize value-added chemicals instead of OER. Efficient catalyst is of paramount importance to fulfill such a goal. Herein, a molybdenum iron carbide-copper hybrid (Mo 2 C-FeCu) was designed as anodic catalyst, which demonstrated decent OER catalytic capability with low overpotential of 238 mV at response current density of 10 mA cm−2 and fine stability. More importantly, the Mo 2 C-FeCu enabled electrooxidation assisted aldol condensation of phenylcarbinol with α -H containing alcohol/ketone in weak alkali electrolyte to selective synthesize cinnamaldehyde/benzalacetone at reduced potential. The hydroxyl and superoxide intermediate radicals generated at high potential are deemed to be responsible for the electrooxidation of phenylcarbinol and aldol condensation reactions to afford cinnamaldehyde/benzalacetone. The current work showcases an electrochemical-chemical combined C C coupling reaction to prepare organic chemicals, we believe more widespread organics can be synthesized by tailored electrochemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]