Electrospun CuMn₂O₄ Spinel Nanofibers as Electrocatalysts for the Production of Chloromethane and Aromatic Chlorides

Dichloromethane electrochemical dechlorination to chloromethane is a promising and economical strategy but remains a critical challenge due to the low selectivity of chloromethane and catalyst deactivation. In this paper, an efficient and selective CuMn₂O₄ nanofiber is prepared by electrospinning and then used in aromatic chloride formation and selective dechlorination of dichloromethane to chloromethane. Experimental and characterization results unveil that the CuMn₂O₄ nanofiber with a one-dimensional (1D) nanostructure, large specific surface area, and high catalytic activity exhibits the most superior chloromethane production (387.46 μmol), high chloromethane selectivity (97.27%), and excellent stability. The coupling system of dichloromethane dechlorination with benzaldehyde chlorination not only produces chlorobenzaldehyde and chloromethane with high economic value but also explores the dichloromethane dechlorination to produce the chloromethane mechanism. Therefore, it provides a promising route and a more stable, active, and selective catalyst for the production of valuable chloromethane. © 2023 American Chemical Society.