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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
Facile Preparation of 2Z,4E-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Asymmetric Acetylene Activation Enables Enhanced Electrochemical Ethylene Formation Kinetics
Yanran Han1, Chuanqi Cheng1, Fanpeng Chen1
1Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
Abstract:
Copper (Cu)-based catalysts with weak ethylene (C2H4) adsorption exhibit a robust ability to suppress the overhydrogenation of electrocatalytic acetylene (C2H2) hydrogenation (EAH), providing a green alternative for C2H4 production. However, the unsatisfactory C2H4 formation kinetics due to the sluggishness of C2H2 reactants still limit its practical application potential. Herein, borate-decorated oxide-derived copper nanoparticles (OD Cu-B NPs) are designed to promote C2H2 activation and adsorption. As a result, the as-prepared catalysts deliver a partial current density of 720 mA cm-2 with a turnover frequency of 48.33 s-1, greatly outperforming the bare OD Cu counterpart. The symmetric electron distribution of C2H2 is revealed to be broken over the Cu-borate interface, making it easier to activate and adsorb, which accounts for the lowered hydrogenation barrier and enhanced selectivity, consequently promoting C2H4 formation kinetics through the EAH process.
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