A Spin Descriptor Map Predicts NiFe2O4 for Efficient Electrosynthesis of Cyclohexanone Oxime
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Updated: Jan 17, 2026
![Solid-phase Synthesis of [4.4] Spirocyclic Oximes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F58508.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Solid-phase Synthesis of [4.4] Spirocyclic Oximes
Published on: February 6, 2019
Rong Yang1, Jinghui Zhao1, Yongmeng Wu1
1Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
Abstract:
The selective hydrogenation of NO to NH2OH governs the performance of cyclohexanone oxime electrosynthesis. However, the spin state transition during the NO-to-NH2OH process, which is directly related to reaction pathways, has long been ignored. Here, we propose a spin locking mechanism via density functional theory and sure independence screening and sparsifying operator. Magnetic sites with medium spin states stabilize the *NHO intermediate by locking the spin configuration of NO to weaken *NH2OH adsorption for high selectivity. The spin magnetic moment (µS), the angle between *N-O and the catalyst (θ), and the charge state (q) are key factors, providing a screening range of the predictive metrics (µS·θ)3 and (cos θ/q). The theoretically selected NiFe2O4 delivers 70% Faradaic efficiency for cyclohexanone oxime, and weakened *NH2OH adsorption is revealed by in situ spectroscopy. This work highlights the importance of spin regulation in adjusting the selectivity of electrosynthesis.
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