Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
H2 evolution and molecular electrocatalysts: determination of overpotentials and effect of homoconjugation
Vincent Fourmond1, Pierre-André Jacques, Marc Fontecave
1Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unite Mixte de Recherche 5249, CEA, DSV/iRTSV, 17 rue des Martyrs, F-38054 Grenoble cedex 9, France.
Abstract:
In an effort to standardize the determination of overpotential values for H(2)-evolving catalysts in non-aqueous solvents and allow a reliable comparison of catalysts prepared and assayed by different groups, we propose to adopt the half-wave potential as reference potential. We provide a simple method for measuring it from usual stationary cyclic voltammograms, and we derive the formulas to which the measured potential should be compared, taking into account the effect of homoconjugation. We also revisit tabulated values of the standard reduction potential of protons in nonaqueous solvents, E(H+/H(2))°.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Standard Electrode Potentials
Electrochemistry: Overview
Thermal Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Thermal Activation
Conjugated systems containing an even number of π-electron pairs undergo a conrotatory ring closure. For example, thermal electrocyclization of (2E,4E)-2,4-hexadiene, a conjugated diene containing two π-electron pairs, gives trans-3,4-dimethylcyclobutene.
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Processes at Electrodes

