A two-step process is developed to synthesize rare earth doped titania nanorods (RE-TiO 2 NRs) as photocatalysts for efficient degradation of lignin under simulated sunlight irradiation. In this approach, protonated titanate nanotubes with layered structures were first prepared by a hydrothermal approach, and rare earth metal ions were subsequently bound to the negatively charged surface of the synthesized titanate via electrostatic incorporation. The as-synthesized RE-TiO 2 NRs after calcination generally showed much higher photocatalytic efficiencies than those of undoped TiO 2 NRs or the commercial P25

The oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds is one of the most fundamental reactions in synthetic organic chemistry. In order to achieve the realization of dehydrogenation reactions with high atomic efficiency, suitable catalysts and oxidants are considered as the key factors to obtain the optimum activity and aldehydes/ketones selectivity. This review aims to make an overview on the reasonable reaction mechanism and promising catalytic system of alcohols dehydrogenation.