Astrid J. Olaya

Molecular electrocatalysis at soft interfaces

The fundamental aspects of electrochemistry at liquid-liquid interfaces are introduced to present the concept of molecular electrocatalysis. Here, a molecular catalyst is adsorbed at the interface to promote a proton coupled electron transfer reaction such as hydrogen evolution or oxygen reduction using lipophilic electron donors.

Four-Electron Oxygen Reduction by Tetrathiafulvalene

The four-electron reduction of oxygen by tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) in acidified 1,2-dichloroethane and at the acidified water/1,2-dichloroethane interface has been observed. Spectroscopy and ion transfer voltammetry results suggest that the reaction proceeds by the fast protonation of TTF followed by the 4-electron reduction of oxygen to form water. Electronic structure computations give evidence of the formation of a helical tetramer assembly ([TTF(4)H(2)](2+)) of two protonated TTF and two neutral TTF molecules. The protonated tetramer is potentially able to deliver the four electrons needed for the oxygen reduction. The production of water was corroborated by (1)H NMR analysis.

Biphasic water splitting by osmocene

The photochemical reactivity of osmocene in a biphasic water-organic solvent system has been investigated to probe its water splitting properties. The photoreduction of aqueous protons to hydrogen under anaerobic conditions induced by osmocene dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane and the subsequent water splitting by the osmocenium metal-metal dimer formed during H2 production were studied by electrochemical methods, UV-visible spectrometry, gas chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Density functional theory computations were used to validate the reaction pathways.

Photoinduced Biphasic Hydrogen Evolution: Decamethylosmocene as a Light-Driven Electron Donor

Excitation of the weak electron donor decamethylosmocene on illumination with white light produces an excited-state species capable of reducing organically solubilized protons under biphasic conditions. Insight into the mechanism and kinetics of light-driven biphasic hydrogen evolution are obtained by analysis with gas chromatography, cyclic voltammetry, and UV/Vis and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Formation of decamethylosmocenium hydride, which occurs prior to hydrogen evolution, is a rapid step relative to hydrogen release and takes place independently of light activation. Remarkably, hydride formation occurs with greater efficiency (ca. 90% conversion) under biphasic conditions than when the reaction is carried out in an acidified single organic phase (ca. 20% conversion). Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal that decamethylosmocene has a higher proton affinity than either decamethylferrocene or osmocene.

Interfacial Self‐Assembly of Water‐Soluble Cationic Porphyrins for the Reduction of Oxygen to Water

Meet at the border: Assembly of the water-soluble cobalt tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin [CoTMPyP](4+) at soft interfaces is enhanced and stabilized by its interfacial interaction with the lipophilic anion (C(6)F(5))(4)B(-). The supramolecular structure thus formed provides excellent catalytic activity in the four-electron reduction of oxygen.

Redox Electrocatalysis of Floating Nanoparticles: Determining Electrocatalytic Properties without the Influence of Solid Supports

Redox electrocatalysis (catalysis of electron-transfer reactions by floating conductive particles) is discussed from the point-of-view of Fermi level equilibration, and an overall theoretical framework is given. Examples of redox electrocatalysis in solution, in bipolar configuration, and at liquid-liquid interfaces are provided, highlighting that bipolar and liquid-liquid interfacial systems allow the study of the electrocatalytic properties of particles without effects from the support, but only liquid-liquid interfaces allow measurement of the electrocatalytic current directly. Additionally, photoinduced redox electrocatalysis will be of interest, for example, to achieve water splitting.

Photosensitized Hydrogen Evolution on a Floating Electrocatalyst Coupled to Electrochemical Recycling

Photoexcited protonated tetrathiafulvalene (HTTF+) was found to act as a photosensitizer, injecting electrons into Pt microparticles (floating electrocatalysts) to produce H2 and TTF•+ in acidic acetonitrile. In addition, TTF•+ was electrochemically reduced back to TTF on a carbon electrode, to be further protonated to continuously produce H2 photochemically. The onset potential for the electrochemical recycling of TTF•+ on carbon was set at a potential 500 mV more positive than the potential required for the direct reduction of protons. HTTF+ showed no signs of decomposition after 51 h of continuous recycling and photoinduced production of H2, proving stability and reversibility.