Electroanalytical Mechanistic Studies

Amping up Mechanistic Investigation

Electroanalytical techniques are excellent tools for studying reaction mechanisms due to their ability to provide valuable kinetic and thermodynamic information underpinning electron transfer processes.

Electroanalytical Mechanistic Studies

We leverage these techniques to interrogate speciation, oxidation states, equilibria, catalytic turnover, and kinetics, providing insights into complex mechanisms of organic and organometallic processes and aiding the development of new synthetic methodologies.

Voltammetry
Voltammetry

Voltammetry is a versatile electroanalytical method that measures current as a function of applied potential, offering insights into the thermodynamics and kinetics of redox processes. We routinely employ cyclic voltammetry (CV), rotating disk electrode voltammetry (RDE), and related techniques to study redox-mediated organic transformations, informing reaction development and mechanistic investigation.

Selected Examples

Discovery of a TEMPO–N3 charge-transfer complex using CV: JACS 201840, 12511.

Deconvoluting mechanism of Co–H using RDE (w/ Abruña): JACS 2022144, 17783.

Investigating the equilibrium of Co–alkyl homolysis using RDE: JACS 2024146, 4380.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) examines the impedance response of an electrochemical system across a range of frequencies, allowing processes occurring at different timescales, for instances in bulk phases and at interfaces, to be decoupled. We employ EIC to probe electrode interfacial chemistry and investigate surface changes that affect the desired electrosynthetic reactions. These insights enable us to identify solutions to improve electrode performance and optimize reaction efficiency.

Selected Examples

Interrogating surface passivation in eXEC (w/ See): Nature 2022604, 292.

Improving stripping of sacrificial anodes (w/ See): JACS Au 20233, 2280; Chem. Sci. 202314, 13108.

Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry
Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry

Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry (DEMS) is an advanced analytical technique that combines electrochemical methods with mass spectrometry to provide real-time, quantitative insights into electrogenerated volatile products. We leverage operando DEMS to identify and quantify small organic molecules that are generated in electrosynthetic transformations.

Selected Examples

Operando measurements of hydrogen evolution versus hydrogen-atom transfer rates (with Abruña): JACS 2022144, 17783.

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