With CdS powder as photolysis catalyst, the oxidation of benzyl alcohol derivatives benzhydrol, benzyl alcohol, benzoin) were investigated. Based on the secondary electron transfer principle, certain attempts were taken to accelerate the CdS photoinduced catalytic oxidns. Alkylviologens are good electron mediators of O2- in CdS photocatalytic reaction. It was demonstrated that sulfite is a sufficient hole scavenger to prevent the photocorrosion of CdS and it can promote the reaction. It appears that methods leading to the separation of photogenerated electron/hole pairs can increase the photocatalytic efficiency.

Key words: OXIDATION, PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTION, VIOLOGENS, CADMIUM SULFIDE, BENZALCOHOL P, PHOTOCATALYSIS, SULFITE, GUM BENZOIN, ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTION