Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
Influence of Chiral Compounds on the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) in the Water Splitting Process
Mirko Gazzotti1, Andrea Stefani1, Marco Bonechi2
1Department of Engineering 'Enzo Ferrari', University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy.
Abstract:
Results are presented concerning the influence on the water splitting process of enantiopure tartaric acid present in bulk solution. Stainless steel and electrodeposited nickel are used as working electrode (WE) surface. The latter is obtained by electrodeposition on the two poles of a magnet. The influence and role played by the chiral compound in solution has been assessed by comparing the current values, in cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments, recorded in the potential range at which oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurs. In the case of tartaric acid and nickel WE a spin polarization of about 4% is found. The use of the chiral environment (bulk solution) and ferromagnetic chiral Ni electrode allows for observing the OER at a more favorable potential: About 50 mV (i.e., a cathodic, less positive, shift of the potential at which the oxygen evolution is observed).
Related Concept Videos
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Formation of Halohydrin from Alkenes
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.

