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Related Concept Videos

Catalysis02:50

Catalysis

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The presence of a catalyst affects the rate of a chemical reaction. A catalyst is a substance that can increase the reaction rate without being consumed during the process. A basic comprehension of a catalysts’ role during chemical reactions can be understood from the concept of reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams.
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Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation02:17

Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation

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Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
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...
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Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview01:26

Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview

2.5K
Electrocyclic reactions are reversible reactions. They involve an intramolecular cyclization or ring-opening of a conjugated polyene. Shown below are two examples of electrocyclic reactions. In the first reaction, the formation of the cyclic product is favored. In contrast, in the second reaction, ring-opening is favored due to the high ring strain associated with cyclobutene formation.
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Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV01:43

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

8.3K
During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...
8.3K
Electron Carriers01:24

Electron Carriers

87.2K
Electron carriers can be thought of as electron shuttles. These compounds can easily accept electrons (i.e., be reduced) or lose them (i.e., be oxidized). They play an essential role in energy production because cellular respiration is contingent on the flow of electrons.
Over the many stages of cellular respiration, glucose breaks down into carbon dioxide and water. Electron carriers pick up electrons lost by glucose in these reactions, temporarily storing and releasing them into the electron...
87.2K
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation02:13

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

12.7K
Alkenes undergo reduction by the addition of molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. Because the process generally occurs in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst, the reaction is called catalytic hydrogenation.
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
12.7K

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Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
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Protein Film Infrared Electrochemistry Demonstrated for Study of H2 Oxidation by a [NiFe] Hydrogenase

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Electrocatalytic H2 evolution promoted by a bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) complex.

Soumalya Sinha1, Giang N Tran1, Hanah Na1

  • 1Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign 600 S. Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA. mirica@illinois.edu.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|January 4, 2022
PubMed
Summary

A novel nickel electrocatalyst efficiently produces hydrogen gas from trifluoroacetic acid. Its design mimics biological enzymes, offering a promising avenue for sustainable energy research.

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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
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Area of Science:

  • Bioinorganic Chemistry
  • Electrocatalysis
  • Sustainable Energy

Background:

  • Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is crucial for clean energy.
  • Developing efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts is essential.
  • Nature utilizes [NiFe] hydrogenases for biological proton reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) electrocatalyst for hydrogen production.
  • To investigate the mechanism of electrocatalytic H2 generation.
  • To benchmark the catalyst's activity against existing molecular Ni HER electrocatalysts.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and characterization of a (N2S2)Ni(II) complex.
  • Electrochemical evaluation of H2 production from trifluoroacetic acid (CF3CO2H) in acetonitrile (MeCN).
  • Mechanistic studies including kinetic analysis and computational modeling.

Main Results:

  • The (N2S2)Ni(II) electrocatalyst achieved a high turnover frequency (TOF) of ~1250 s-1.
  • Efficient H2 production was observed at low acid concentrations (<0.043 M).
  • A proposed mechanism highlights the role of a hemilabile pyridyl group.

Conclusions:

  • The bioinspired (N2S2)Ni(II) complex demonstrates high activity for H2 evolution.
  • The catalyst's mechanism, involving a hemilabile pyridyl group, mimics biological hydrogenases.
  • This work provides insights into designing efficient molecular electrocatalysts for HER.