This review provides the reader with a general overview on heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation
mechanisms in the presence of TiO2, with a special address to conversion of aliphatic and aromatic organic
species. The aim was to clarify the steps of the photo-oxidation of the various classes of compounds and to
relate them with the properties of the catalysts and the experimental conditions used. Reactions carried
out to perform complete degradation and photocatalytic partial oxidations have been deeply discussed.
Recent isotopic studies highlighted new reaction pathways concerning partial oxidation of alcohols to
aldehyde and oxidation of benzene while EPR investigations confirmed that not only the photogenerated
hole but also the OH radicals are involved in the oxidation of the substrates