Analytical solutions for the study of homogeneous first-order chemical kinetics via UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry

Bioinspired Tetranuclear Manganese Cubane Complex as an Efficient Molecular Electrocatalyst for Two-Electron Water Oxidation Towards Hydrogen Peroxide

Stable homogeneous two-electron water oxidation electrocatalysts are highly demanded to understand the precise mechanism and reaction intermediates of electrochemical H2O2 production. Here we report a tetranuclear manganese complex with a cubane structure which can electrocatalyze water oxidation to hydrogen peroxide under alkaline and neutral conditions. Such a complex demonstrates an optimal Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 87 %, which is amongst (if not) the highest FE(H2O2) of reported homogeneous and heterogeneous electrocatalysts. In addition, active species were identified and co-catalysts were excluded through ESI-MS characterization. Furthermore, we identified water binding sites and isolated one-electron oxidation intermediate by chemical oxidation of the catalyst in the presence of water substrates. It is evident that efficient proton-accepting electrolytes avoid rapid proton building-up at electrode and substantially improve reaction rate and selectivity. Accordingly, we propose a two-electron catalytic cycle model for water oxidation to hydrogen peroxide with the bioinspired molecular electrocatalyst. The present work is expected to provide an ideal platform to elucidate the two-electron WOR mechanism at the atomic level.

Versatile Tools for Understanding Electrosynthetic Mechanisms

Electrosynthesis is a popular, green alternative to traditional organic methods. Understanding the mechanisms is not trivial yet is necessary to optimize reaction processes. To this end, a multitude of analytical tools is available to identify and quantitate reaction products and intermediates. The first portion of this review serves as a guide that underscores electrosynthesis fundamentals, including instrumentation, electrode selection, impacts of electrolyte and solvent, cell configuration, and methods of electrosynthesis. Next, the broad base of analytical techniques that aid in mechanism elucidation are covered in detail. These methods are divided into electrochemical, spectroscopic, chromatographic, microscopic, and computational. Technique selection is dependent on predicted reaction pathways and electrogenerated intermediates. Often, a combination of techniques must be utilized to ensure accuracy of the proposed model. To conclude, future prospects that aim to enhance the field are discussed.

Visualising electrochemical reaction layers: mediated vs. direct oxidation

Electrochemical treatments are widely used for 'clean up' in which toxic metals and organic compounds are removed using direct or mediated electrolysis. Herein we report novel studies offering proof of concept that spectrofluorometric electrochemistry can provide important mechanistic detail into these processes. A thin layer opto-electrochemical cell, with a carbon fibre (radius 3.5 μm) working electrode, is used to visualise the optical responses of the oxidative destruction of a fluorophore either directly, on an electrode, or via the indirect reaction of the analyte with an electrochemically formed species which 'mediates' the destruction. The optical responses of these two reaction mechanisms are first predicted by numerical simulation followed by experimental validation of each using two fluorescent probes, a redox inactive (in the electrochemical window) 1,3,6,8-pyrenetetrasulfonic acid and the redox-active derivative 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid. In the vicinity of a carbon electrode held at different oxidative potentials, the contrast between indirect electro-destruction, chlorination, and direct oxidation is very obvious. Excellent agreement is seen between the numerically predicted fluorescence intensity profiles and experiment.