Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride01:26

Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride

2.3K
Radical substitution reactions can be used to remove functional groups from molecules. The hydrogenolysis of alkyl halides is one such reaction, where the weak Sn–H bond in tributyltin hydride reacts with alkyl halides to form alkanes. Here, the reagent Bu3SnH yields tributyltin halide as a byproduct.
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...
2.3K
Catalysis02:50

Catalysis

32.1K
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.
32.1K
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation02:13

Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation

14.8K
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...
14.8K
Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Mechanism01:17

Radical Anti-Markovnikov Addition to Alkenes: Mechanism

5.0K
The reaction of hydrogen bromide with alkenes in the presence of hydroperoxides or peroxides proceeds via anti-Markovnikov addition. The radical chain reaction comprises initiation, propagation, and termination steps.
The mechanism starts with chain initiation, which involves two steps. In the first chain initiation step, a weak peroxide bond is homolytically cleaved upon mild heating to form two alkoxy radicals. In the second initiation step, a hydrogen atom is abstracted by the alkoxy...
5.0K
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration02:36

Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration

9.7K
A significant aspect of hydroboration–oxidation is the regio- and stereochemical outcome of the reaction.
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.
9.7K
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes03:08

Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes

12.1K
In addition to the oxymercuration–demercuration method, which converts the alkenes to alcohols with Markovnikov orientation, a complementary hydroboration-oxidation method yields the anti-Markovnikov product. The hydroboration reaction, discovered in 1959 by H.C. Brown, involves the addition of a B–H bond of borane to an alkene giving an organoborane intermediate. The oxidation of this intermediate with basic hydrogen peroxide forms an alcohol.
12.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Rapid Determination of SiO<sub>2</sub> Shell Thickness on Au Core Nanoparticles via Differential Centrifugal Sedimentation for SHINERS.

The journal of physical chemistry. C, Nanomaterials and interfaces·2026
Same author

Cation-Surface Interactions During Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Probed by Surface X‑ray Diffraction.

ACS physical chemistry Au·2026
Same author

Assessing the potential of zero charge in ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026
Same author

Molecular Insights into the Double-Layer Capacitance of Platinum Surfaces in Alkaline Media.

JACS Au·2026
Same author

Compensation effects between the apparent activation energy and pre-exponential factor in simple models of electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Faraday discussions·2026
Same author

Dynamic CO Electrolysis to Methanol on Pt(111) Surfaces Modified with a Pd Monolayer.

ACS catalysis·2026
Same journal

Electrochemical Oxygen-Atom Transfer to Alkenes and Pyridines with a Mn-Porphyrin Catalyst Using Water as the Source of Oxygen.

ACS catalysis·2026
Same journal

Systematic Modeling of Covalent Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease and Its Mutants.

ACS catalysis·2026
Same journal

Enantioselective Carbonyl Crotylation of Alcohol Proelectrophiles via Ruthenium-Catalyzed Hydrogen Autotransfer: Innovation Inspired by Polyketide Total Synthesis.

ACS catalysis·2026
Same journal

Reactive Trapping of Dilute Methane Emissions by Surface Oxygen Intermediates on Copper Zeolites for Total Oxidation to CO<sub>2</sub>.

ACS catalysis·2026
Same journal

Fast Motions in 5 Alpha Reductase and Its Impact on Enzyme Kinetics.

ACS catalysis·2026
Same journal

Fe(III)/Pyridine N-oxide LMCT Photocatalysis for Unactivated C(sp<sup>3</sup>)-H Functionalizations.

ACS catalysis·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
06:32

A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions

Published on: August 17, 2016

20.5K

Gas Bubble Stabilization Limits Tetraalkylammonium-Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution.

Julia Fernández-Vidal1, Kathryn J Vannoy1, Aleksandr Bashkatov2,3

  • 1Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.

ACS Catalysis
|March 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Tetrabutylammonium (TBA+) cations boost platinum

Keywords:
alkaline HERcoalescencehydrophobic cationsinterfacial adsorptionmicrobubbles

More Related Videos

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
10:00

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor

Published on: March 10, 2023

3.4K
Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials
09:05

Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials

Published on: May 15, 2015

15.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 27, 2026

A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
06:32

A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions

Published on: August 17, 2016

20.5K
Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
10:00

Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor

Published on: March 10, 2023

3.4K
Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials
09:05

Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials

Published on: May 15, 2015

15.4K

Area of Science:

  • Electrochemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Catalysis

Background:

  • Platinum (Pt) is an active hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst in acidic media.
  • Pt performance significantly decreases in alkaline electrolytes.
  • Tetraalkylammonium (TAA+) cations may enhance alkaline HER by altering interfacial water structure.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of tetrabutylammonium (TBA+) cations on Pt HER performance under high-current, bubble-forming conditions.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which TBA+ influences HER activity in alkaline media.

Main Methods:

  • Microelectrode measurements with high-speed imaging to observe microbubble dynamics.
  • Rotating disk electrode (RDE) measurements to assess kinetic and mass transport limitations.

Main Results:

  • TBA+ exhibits a dual effect on Pt HER: enhancing activity at low overpotentials and suppressing it at high overpotentials.
  • TBA+ stabilizes microbubbles through adsorption, leading to persistent surface blockage via pinning and coalescence.
  • Observed activity loss is attributed to mass transport limitations, not intrinsic kinetic changes.

Conclusions:

  • TBA+ cations can hinder alkaline HER at high current densities by promoting bubble surface blockage.
  • Understanding interfacial bubble effects is crucial for accurate interpretation of alkaline HER activity and catalyst design.
  • Organic cations' influence on gas evolution dynamics needs careful consideration in electrochemical applications.