Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2025

Monitoring the Reductive and Oxidative Half-Reactions of a Flavin-Dependent Monooxygenase using Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometry
Published on: March 18, 2012
Does Coherence Affect the Multielectron Oxygen Reduction Reaction?
Anu Gupta1, Anil Kumar1, Deb Kumar Bhowmick1
1Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Abstract:
The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is the key for oxygen-based respiration and the operation of fuel cells. It involves the transmission of two pairs of electrons. We probed what type of interaction between the electrons is required to enable their efficient transfer into the oxygen. We show experimentally that the transfer of the electrons is controlled by the "hidden property" and present a theoretical model suggesting that it is related to coherent phase relations between the two electrons. Using spin polarization electrochemical measurements, with electrodes coated with different thicknesses of chiral coating, we confirm the special relation between the electrons. This relation is destroyed by multiple scattering events that result in the formation of hydrogen peroxide, which indicates a reduction in the ORR efficiency. Another indication for the possible role of coherence is the fluctuations in the reaction efficiency as a function of thickness of the chiral coated electrode.
More Related Videos
10:57Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
13:21Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Radical Anion by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy from Cells using Spin Traps
Published on: August 18, 2012
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Oxidation and Reduction of Organic Molecules
The removal of an electron from a molecule, results in a...
Redox Reactions
Redox Equilibria: Overview
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide