Electrochemical Pathways As Tools for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Alkenes

Monday, 10 October 2022: 08:00
Room 302 (The Hilton Atlanta)
D. S. Galeano Osorio, F. Gupton (Virginia Commonwealth University), B. Meekins (University of South Carolina), and C. Castano (Virginia Commonwealth University)
This research took advantage of electrochemical routes for the catalytic conversion of alkenes. Different electrochemical techniques were used to trace the electrical parameters to carry out a Wacker oxidation reaction in glass cells (h-cell and beaker) and subsequently scale them to a PEM electrolyzer. For this, Graphene supported Pd catalysts were used. At room temperature, two alkenes were employed as substrates to produce their respective aldehydes and ketones through Markonikov and Anti-Markonikov reactions. Cyclic voltammetry scans were used to screen the conditions for subsequent galvanostatic and potentiostatic investigations. The galvanostatic sweeps were carried out for six hours, and the conversion of 1-octene to the desired product was observed at potentials of 2.0 to 2.2 V. When styrene was tested as a substrate, it was necessary to carry out potentiostatic scans to allow the conversion of this aryl. Changes in the sweep voltages and the increase in the reaction temperature revealed clues about the selectivity of the products. After electrochemical testing, X-ray photoelectron analysis and advanced electron microscopy techniques helped evaluate structural, physical, and chemical catalyst changes.