Redox Behavior and Kinetics of Hydroxo Ligand Exchange on Iron Tetraphenylporphyrin: Comparison with Chloro Exchange and Consequences for Its Role in Self-Modulation of Molecular Catalysis of Electrochemical Reactions

Thermodynamics and kinetics of hydroxide ion binding to iron tetraphenylporphyrin (TPPFe) at different redox states is investigated by electrochemistry and UV-vis spectroscopy. The reduction of initial TPPFe(III) drastically decreases the binding affinity of hydroxide ions. An activation-driving force correlation is revealed showing that the strongest the binding affinity, the largest the association rate constant and vice versa. Comparison with chloride ions shows that hydroxide ions are stronger ligands for iron tetraphenylporphyrin. However, kinetic data indicate that coordination and decoordination of chloride ions is intrinsically faster than coordination and decoordination of hydroxide ions. Finally, the consequence of hydroxide ion binding dynamics when TPPFe is used as a molecular catalyst for electrochemical reactions liberating hydroxides is discussed in the framework of self-modulation of catalytic processes.

Autonomous closed-loop mechanistic investigation of molecular electrochemistry via automation

Electrochemical research often requires stringent combinations of experimental parameters that are demanding to manually locate. Recent advances in automated instrumentation and machine-learning algorithms unlock the possibility for accelerated studies of electrochemical fundamentals via high-throughput, online decision-making. Here we report an autonomous electrochemical platform that implements an adaptive, closed-loop workflow for mechanistic investigation of molecular electrochemistry. As a proof-of-concept, this platform autonomously identifies and investigates an EC mechanism, an interfacial electron transfer (E step) followed by a solution reaction (C step), for cobalt tetraphenylporphyrin exposed to a library of organohalide electrophiles. The generally applicable workflow accurately discerns the EC mechanism's presence amid negative controls and outliers, adaptively designs desired experimental conditions, and quantitatively extracts kinetic information of the C step spanning over 7 orders of magnitude, from which mechanistic insights into oxidative addition pathways are gained. This work opens opportunities for autonomous mechanistic discoveries in self-driving electrochemistry laboratories without manual intervention.

Turnover Number in Photoinduced Molecular Catalysis of Hydrogen Evolution: a Benchmarking for Catalysts?

Development of devices for production of H2 using light and a sustainable source of electrons may require the design of molecular systems combining a molecular catalyst and a photosensitizer. Evaluation of the efficiency of hydrogen production is commonly performed in homogeneous solution with a sacrificial electron donor and the report of the maximal turnover number vs catalyst (T O N c a t lim ${TON_{cat}^{\lim } }$ ). This figure of merit is strongly dependent on deactivation pathways and does not by itself provide a benchmarking for catalysts. In particular, when the photosensitizer degradation is the primary source of limitation, a kinetic model, rationalizing literature data, shows that a decrease of the catalyst concentration leads to an increase ofT O N c a t lim ${TON_{cat}^{\lim } }$ . It indicates that exceptionally highT O N c a t lim ${TON_{cat}^{\lim } }$ obtained at very low catalyst concentration shall not be considered as an indication of an exceptional catalytic system. We advocate for a systematic kinetic analysis in order to get a quantitative measure of the competitive pathways leading toT O N c a t lim ${TON_{cat}^{\lim } }$ values and to provide keys for performance improvement.

Deciphering Reversible Homogeneous Catalysis of the Electrochemical H2 Evolution and Oxidation: Role of Proton Relays and Local Concentration Effects

Nickel bisdiphosphine complexes bearing pendant amines form a unique series of catalysts (so-called DuBois' catalysts) capable of bidirectional/reversible electrocatalytic oxidation and production of dihydrogen. This unique behaviour is directly linked to the presence of proton relays installed close to the metal center. We report here for the arginine derivative [Ni(P2 Cy N2 Arg )2 ]6+ on a mechanistic model and its kinetic treatment that may apply to all DuBois' catalysts and show that it allows for a good fit of experimental data measured at different pH values, catalyst concentrations and partial hydrogen pressures. The bidirectionality of catalysis results from balanced equilibria related to hydrogen uptake/evolution on one side and (metal)-hydride installation/capture on the other side, both controlled by concentration effects resulting from the presence of proton relays and connected by two square schemes corresponding to proton-coupled electron transfer processes. We show that the catalytic bias is controlled by the kinetic of the H2 uptake/evolution step. Reversibility does not require that the energy landscape be flat, with redox transitions occurring at potentials up to 250 mV away for the equilibrium potential, although such large deviations from a flat energy landscape can negatively impacts the rate of catalysis when coupled with slow interfacial electron transfer kinetics.

Disulfide radical anion as a super-reductant in biology and photoredox chemistry

Disulfides are involved in a broad range of radical-based synthetic organic and biochemical transformations. In particular, the reduction of a disulfide to the corresponding radical anion, followed by S-S bond cleavage to yield a thiyl radical and a thiolate anion plays critical roles in radical-based photoredox transformations and the disulfide radical anion in conjunction with a proton donor, mediates the enzymatic synthesis of deoxynucleotides from nucleotides within the active site of the enzyme, ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). To gain fundamental thermodynamic insight into these reactions, we have performed experimental measurements to furnish the transfer coefficient from which the standard E0(RSSR/RSSR˙-) reduction potential has been determined for a homologous series of disulfides. The electrochemical potentials are found to be strongly dependent on the structures and electronic properties of the substituents of the disulfides. In the case of cysteine, a standard potential of E0(RSSR/RSSR˙-) = -1.38 V vs. NHE is determined, making the disulfide radical anion of cysteine one of the most reducing cofactors in biology.

Electrochemical Mechanistic Analysis from Cyclic Voltammograms Based on Deep Learning

For decades, employing cyclic voltammetry for mechanistic investigation has demanded manual inspection of voltammograms. Here, we report a deep-learning-based algorithm that automatically analyzes cyclic voltammograms and designates a probable electrochemical mechanism among five of the most common ones in homogeneous molecular electrochemistry. The reported algorithm will aid researchers' mechanistic analyses, utilize otherwise elusive features in voltammograms, and experimentally observe the gradual mechanism transitions encountered in electrochemistry. An automated voltammogram analysis will aid the analysis of complex electrochemical systems and promise autonomous high-throughput research in electrochemistry with minimal human interference.

Rhenium Carbonyl Molecular Catalysts for CO2 Electroreduction: Effects on Catalysis of Bipyridine Substituents Mimicking Anchorage Functions to Modify Electrodes

Heterogenization of molecular catalysts on (photo)electrode surfaces is required to design devices performing processes enabling to store renewable energy in chemical bonds. Among the various strategies to immobilize molecular catalysts, direct chemical bonding to conductive surfaces presents some advantages because of the robustness of the linkage. When the catalyst is, as it is often the case, a transition metal complex, the anchoring group has to be connected to the complex through the ligands, and an important question is thus raised on the influence of this function on the redox and on the catalytic properties of the complex. Herein, we analyze the effect of conjugated and non conjugated substituents, structurally close to anchoring functions previously used to immobilize a rhenium carbonyl bipyridyl molecular catalyst for supported CO₂ electroreduction. We show that carboxylic ester groups, mimicking anchoring the catalyst via carboxylate binding to the surface, have a drastic effect on the catalytic activity of the complex toward CO₂ electroreduction. The reasons for such an effect are revealed via a combined spectro-electrochemical analysis showing that the reducing equivalents are mainly accumulated on the electron-withdrawing ester on the bipyridine ligand preventing the formation of the rhenium(0) center and its interaction with CO₂. Alternatively, alkyl-phosphonic ester substituents, not conjugated with the bpy ligand, mimicking anchoring the catalyst via phosphonate binding to the surface, allow preserving the catalytic activity of the complex.

Proton-coupled electron transfer of macrocyclic ring hydrogenation: The chlorinphlorin

SignificanceThe chemical reduction of unsaturated bonds occurs by hydrogenation with H2 as the reductant. Conversely, in biology, the unavailability of H2 engenders the typical reduction of unsaturated bonds with electrons and protons from different cofactors, requiring olefin hydrogenation to occur by proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). Moreover, the redox noninnocence of tetrapyrrole macrocycles furnishes unusual PCET intermediates, including the phlorin, which is an intermediate in tetrapyrrole ring reductions. Whereas the phlorin of a porphyrin is well established, the phlorin of a chlorin is enigmatic. By controlling the PCET reactivity of a chlorin, including the use of a hangman functionality to manage the proton transfer, the formation of a chlorinphlorin by PCET is realized, and the mechanism for its formation is defined.

Homogeneous molecular catalysis of the electrochemical reduction of N2O to N2: redox vs. chemical catalysis

Homogeneous electrochemical catalysis of N₂O reduction to N₂ is investigated with a series of organic catalysts and rhenium and manganese bipyridyl carbonyl complexes. An activation-driving force correlation is revealed with the organic species characteristic of a redox catalysis involving an outer-sphere electron transfer from the radical anions or dianions of the reduced catalyst to N₂O. Taking into account the previously estimated reorganization energy required to form the N₂O radical anions leads to an estimation of the N₂O/N₂O˙⁻ standard potential in acetonitrile electrolyte. The direct reduction of N₂O at a glassy carbon electrode follows the same quadratic activation driving force relationship. Our analysis reveals that the catalytic effect of the mediators is due to a smaller reorganization energy of the homogeneous electron transfer than that of the heterogeneous one. The physical effect of “spreading” electrons in the electrolyte is shown to be unfavorable for the homogeneous reduction. Importantly, we show that the reduction of N₂O by low valent rhenium and manganese bipyridyl carbonyl complexes is of a chemical nature, with an initial one-electron reduction process associated with a chemical reaction more efficient than the simple outer-sphere electron transfer process. This points to an inner-sphere mechanism possibly involving partial charge transfer from the low valent metal to the binding N₂O and emphasizes the differences between chemical and redox catalytic processes.

Homogeneous electrochemical catalysis of N₂O reduction to N₂ is investigated with a series of organic catalysts and rhenium and manganese bipyridyl carbonyl complexes.

Decision Tree for the Performance of Intraoperative Liver Biopsy During Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Bariatric surgery provides a useful opportunity to perform intraoperative liver biopsy to screen for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There is currently no consensus on whether intraoperative liver biopsy should be systematically performed. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a decision tree to guide that choice.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

This prospective study included 102 consecutive patients from the severe obesity outcome network (SOON) cohort in whom liver biopsy was systematically performed during bariatric surgery. A classification and regression tree (CART) was created to identify the nodes that best classified patients with and without NASH. External validation was performed. Seventy-one biopsies were of sufficient quality for analysis (median body mass index 43.3 [40.7; 48.0] kg/m²). NASH was diagnosed in 32.4% of cases. None of the patients with no steatosis on ultrasound had NASH. The only CART node that differentiated between a "high-risk" and a "low-risk" of NASH was alanine aminotransferase (ALT). ALT>53IU/L predicted NASH with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 68% and a negative predictive value (NPP) of 89%, a sensitivity of 77%, and a specificity of 84%. In the external cohort (n=258), PPV was 68%, NPV was 62%, sensitivity was 27%, and specificity was 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

The present work supports intraoperative liver biopsy to screen for NASH in patients with ALT>53IU/L; however, patients with no steatosis on ultrasound should not undergo biopsy. The CART failed to identify an algorithm with a good sensitivity to screen for NASH in patients with ultrasonography-proven steatosis and ALT≤53IU/L.

Electrochemical Energy Storage: Questioning the Popular v/v1/2 Scan Rate Diagnosis in Cyclic Voltammetry

The v/v^1/2 scan rate diagnosis in electrochemical energy storage devices is based on application of the relationship i = k₁v + k₂v^1/2 (where k₁ and k₂ are two constants independent of the scan rate v) to the variation of the cyclic voltammetric responses with v. Several examples show that application of this scan rate diagnosis procedure leads to absurd results because the procedure is inappropriate under these conditions. It follows that the best approach is to simply forget about this v/v^1/2 scan rate diagnosis, concentrate on the maximum number of experimental observations of the scan rate dependency, and build models able to reproduce these data in each case.

Driving force dependence of inner-sphere electron transfer for the reduction of CO2 on a gold electrode

The kinetics of the inner-sphere electron transfer reaction between a gold electrode and CO₂ was measured as a function of the applied potential in an aqueous environment. Extraction of the electron transfer rate constant requires deconvolution of the current associated with CO₂ reduction from the competing hydrogen evolution reaction and mass transport. Analysis of the inner-sphere electron transfer reaction reveals a driving force dependence of the rate constant that has similar characteristics to that of a Marcus-Hush-Levich outer-sphere electron transfer model. Consideration of simple assumptions for CO₂ adsorption on the electrode surface allows for the evaluation of a CO_2,ads/CO₂ ^•- _ads standard potential of ∼-0.75 ± 0.05 V vs Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) and a reorganization energy on the order of 0.75 ± 0.10 eV. This standard potential is considerably lower than that observed for CO₂ reduction on planar metal electrodes (∼>-1.4 V vs SHE for >10 mA/cm²), thus indicating that CO₂ reduction occurs at a significant overpotential and thus provides an imperative for the design of better CO₂ reduction electrocatalysts.

Electrophotocatalysis: Cyclic Voltammetry as an Analytical Tool

Electrophotocatalysis (e-PC) is currently experiencing a renewed interest. By taking advantage of the highly oxidizing or reducing power of excited state of electrogenerated ion radicals, it allows thermodynamically difficult redox reactions to be performed. However, e-PC is facing various specific issues, such as its fundamentally heterogeneous nature, implying that mass transport is coupled to chemical reactions and light absorption; back electron transfer of the ion radical excited state with the electrode; and local heating near the electrode surface modifying mass transport conditions. Herein, we address these issues in the context of cyclic voltammetry as an analytical tool and we provide a rational framework for kinetic studies of electrophotocatalytic reactions under realistic conditions and hypothesis based on literature data. This approach may be beneficial to rationalize the design and the efficiency of present and future e-PC systems.

Hydrogen and proton exchange at carbon. Imbalanced transition state and mechanism crossover

A recent remarkable study of the C-H oxidation of substituted fluorenyl-benzoates together with the transfer of a proton to an internal receiving group by means of electron transfer outer-sphere oxidants, in the noteworthy absence of hydrogen-bonding interactions, is taken as an example to uncover the existence of a mechanism crossover, making the reaction pass from a CPET pathway to a PTET pathway as the driving force of the global reaction decreases. This was also the occasion to stress that considerations based on "imbalanced" or "asynchronous" transition states cannot replace activation/driving force models based on the quantum mechanical treatment of both electrons and transferring protons.

Nature of Electronic Conduction in "Pseudocapacitive" Films: Transition from the Insulator State to Band-Conduction

The transition between the insulator state and the band-conducting state is investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry in cobalt oxide porous film electrodes in phosphate-buffered solutions. It is shown that a proton-coupled faradaic oxidative process starting in the insulator region eventually builds an ohmic conduction mode upon anodic polarization. This model allows one to understand the origin of the authentic capacitive behavior of conductive metal oxide films rather than the so-called "pseudocapacitive" behavior. The particular example of cobalt oxide serves to illustrate the way in which, more generally, the behavior of "pseudocapacitors", long ascribed to the superposition of faradaic reactions, is in fact that of true capacitors, once band-conduction has been established upon oxidation of the material.

Interplay of Homogeneous Reactions, Mass Transport, and Kinetics in Determining Selectivity of the Reduction of CO2 on Gold Electrodes

Gold electrocatalysts have been a research focus due to their ability to reduce CO₂ into CO, a feedstock for further conversion. Many methods have been employed to modulate CO₂ reduction (CDR) vs hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) selectivity on gold electrodes such as nano-/mesostructuring and crystal faceting control. Herein we show that gold surfaces with very different morphologies (planar, leaves, and wires) lead to similar bell-shaped CO faradaic efficiency as a function of applied potential. At low overpotential (E > -0.85 V vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)), HER is dominant via a potential quasi-independent rate that we attribute to a rate limiting process of surface dissociation of competent proton donors. As overpotential is increased, CO faradaic efficiency reaches a maximal value (near 90%) because CO production is controlled by an electron transfer rate that increases with potential, whereas HER remains almost potential independent. At high overpotential (E < -1.2 V vs SHE), CO faradaic efficiency decreases due to the concurrent rise of HER via bicarbonate direct reduction and leveling off of CDR as CO₂ replenishment at the catalyst surface is limited by mass transport and homogeneous coupled reactions. Importantly, the analysis shows that recent attempts to overcome mass transport limitations with gas diffusion electrodes confront low carbon mass balance owing to the prominence of homogeneous reactions coupled to CDR. The comprehensive kinetics analysis of the factors defining CDR vs HER on gold electrodes developed here provides an activation-driving force relationship over a large potential window and informs on the design of conditions to achieve desirable high current densities for CO₂ to CO conversion while maintaining high selectivity.

Energy storage: pseudocapacitance in prospect

This question and its implications are discussed in detail.

The two main types of charge storage devices – batteries and double layer charging capacitors – can be unambiguously distinguished from one another by the shape and scan rate dependence of their cyclic voltammetric current–potential (CV) responses. This is not the case with “pseudocapacitors” and with the notion of “pseudocapacitance”, as originally put forward by Conway et al. After insisting on the necessity of precisely defining “pseudocapacitance” as involving faradaic processes and having, at the same time, a capacitive signature, we discuss the modelling of “pseudocapacitive” responses, revisiting Conway's derivations and analysing critically the other contributions to the subject, leading unmistakably to the conclusion that “pseudocapacitors” are actually true capacitors and that “pseudocapacitance” is a basically incorrect notion. Taking cobalt oxide films as a tutorial example, we describe the way in which a (true) electrical double layer is built upon oxidation of the film in its insulating state up to an ohmic conducting state. The lessons drawn at this occasion are used to re-examine the classical oxides, RuO₂, MnO₂, TiO₂, Nb₂O₅ and other examples of putative “pseudocapacitive” materials. Addressing the dynamics of charge storage—a key issue in the practice of power of the energy storage device—it is shown that ohmic potential drop in the pores is the governing factor rather than counter-ion diffusion as often asserted, based on incorrect diagnosis by means of scan rate variations in CV studies.

Oxygen activation at a dicobalt centre of a dipyridylethane naphthyridine complex

The mechanism of oxygen activation at a dicobalt bis-μ-hydroxo core is probed by the implementation of synthetic methods to isolate reaction intermediates. Reduction of a dicobalt(iii,iii) core ligated by the polypyridyl ligand dipyridylethane naphthyridine (DPEN) by two electrons and subsequent protonation result in the release of one water moiety to furnish a dicobalt(ii,ii) center with an open binding site. This reduced core may be independently isolated by chemical reduction. Variable-temperature 1H NMR and SQUID magnetometry reveal the reduced dicobalt(ii,ii) intermediate to consist of two low spin Co(ii) centers coupled antiferromagnetically. Binding of O2 to the open coordination site of the dicobalt(ii,ii) core results in the production of an oxygen adduct, which is proposed to be a dicobalt(iii,iii) peroxo. Electrochemical studies show that the addition of two electrons results in cleavage of the O-O bond.

Properties of Site-Specifically Incorporated 3-Aminotyrosine in Proteins To Study Redox-Active Tyrosines: Escherichia coli Ribonucleotide Reductase as a Paradigm

3-Aminotyrosine (NH₂Y) has been a useful probe to study the role of redox active tyrosines in enzymes. This report describes properties of NH₂Y of key importance for its application in mechanistic studies. By combining the tRNA/NH₂Y-RS suppression technology with a model protein tailored for amino acid redox studies (α₃X, X = NH₂Y), the formal reduction potential of NH₂Y₃₂(O^•/OH) ( E°' = 395 ± 7 mV at pH 7.08 ± 0.05) could be determined using protein film voltammetry. We find that the Δ E°' between NH₂Y₃₂(O^•/OH) and Y₃₂(O^•/OH) when measured under reversible conditions is ∼300-400 mV larger than earlier estimates based on irreversible voltammograms obtained on aqueous NH₂Y and Y. We have also generated D₆-NH₂Y₇₃₁-α2 of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which when incubated with β2/CDP/ATP generates the D₆-NH₂Y₇₃₁^•-α2/β2 complex. By multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance (35, 94, and 263 GHz) and 34 GHz ¹H ENDOR spectroscopies, we determined the hyperfine coupling (hfc) constants of the amino protons that establish RNH₂^• planarity and thus minimal perturbation of the reduction potential by the protein environment. The amount of Y in the isolated NH₂Y-RNR incorporated by infidelity of the tRNA/NH₂Y-RS pair was determined by a generally useful LC-MS method. This information is essential to the utility of this NH₂Y probe to study any protein of interest and is employed to address our previously reported activity associated with NH₂Y-substituted RNRs.

Nanodiffusion in electrocatalytic films

In the active interest aroused by electrochemical reactions' catalysis, related to modern energy challenges, films deposited on electrodes are often preferred to homogeneous catalysts. A particularly promising variety of such films, in terms of efficiency and selectivity, is offered by sprinkling catalytic nanoparticles onto a conductive network. Coupled with the catalytic reaction, the competitive occurrence of various modes of substrate diffusion-diffusion toward nanoparticles ('nanodiffusion') against film linear diffusion and solution linear diffusion-is analysed theoretically. It is governed by a dimensionless parameter that contains all the experimental factors, thus allowing one to single out the conditions in which nanodiffusion is the dominant mode of mass transport. These theoretical predictions are illustrated experimentally by proton reduction on a mixture of platinum nanoparticles and carbon dispersed in a Nafion film deposited on a glassy carbon electrode. The density of nanoparticles and the scan rate are used as experimental variables to test the theory.

Cyclic voltammetry modeling of proton transport effects on redox charge storage in conductive materials: application to a TiO2 mesoporous film

Cyclic voltammetry is a particularly useful tool for characterizing charge accumulation in conductive materials. A simple model is presented to evaluate proton transport effects on charge storage in conductive materials associated with a redox process coupled with proton insertion in the bulk material from an aqueous buffered solution, a situation frequently encountered in metal oxide materials. The interplay between proton transport inside and outside the materials is described using a formulation of the problem through introduction of dimensionless variables that allows defining the minimum number of parameters governing the cyclic voltammetry response with consideration of a simple description of the system geometry. This approach is illustrated by analysis of proton insertion in a mesoporous TiO₂ film.

Heterogeneous Molecular Catalysis of Electrochemical Reactions: Volcano Plots and Catalytic Tafel Plots

We analyze here, in the framework of heterogeneous molecular catalysis, the reasons for the occurrence or nonoccurrence of volcanoes upon plotting the kinetics of the catalytic reaction versus the stabilization free energy of the primary intermediate of the catalytic process. As in the case of homogeneous molecular catalysis or catalysis by surface-active metallic sites, a strong motivation of such studies relates to modern energy challenges, particularly those involving small molecules, such as water, hydrogen, oxygen, proton, and carbon dioxide. This motivation is particularly pertinent for what concerns heterogeneous molecular catalysis, since it is commonly preferred to homogeneous molecular catalysis by the same molecules if only for chemical separation purposes and electrolytic cell architecture. As with the two other catalysis modes, the main drawback of the volcano plot approach is the basic assumption that the kinetic responses depend on a single descriptor, viz., the stabilization free energy of the primary intermediate. More comprehensive approaches, investigating the responses to the maximal number of experimental factors, and conveniently expressed as catalytic Tafel plots, should clearly be preferred. This is more so in the case of heterogeneous molecular catalysis in that additional transport factors in the supporting film may additionally affect the current-potential responses. This is attested by the noteworthy presence of maxima in catalytic Tafel plots as well as their dependence upon the cyclic voltammetric scan rate.

How Do Pseudocapacitors Store Energy? Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Illustration

Batteries and electrochemical double layer charging capacitors are two classical means of storing electrical energy. These two types of charge storage can be unambiguously distinguished from one another by the shape and scan-rate dependence of their cyclic voltammetric (CV) current-potential responses. The former shows peak-shaped current-potential responses, proportional to the scan rate v or to v^1/2, whereas the latter displays a quasi-rectangular response proportional to the scan rate. On the contrary, the notion of pseudocapacitance, popularized in the 1980s and 1990s for metal oxide systems, has been used to describe a charge storage process that is faradaic in nature yet displays capacitive CV signatures. It has been speculated that a quasi-rectangular CV response resembling that of a truly capacitive response arises from a series of faradaic redox couples with a distribution of potentials, yet this idea has never been justified theoretically. We address this problem by first showing theoretically that this distribution-of-potentials approach is closely equivalent to the more physically meaningful consideration of concentration-dependent activity coefficients resulting from interactions between reactants. The result of the ensuing analysis is that, in either case, the CV responses never yield a quasi-rectangular response ∝ ν, identical to that of double layer charging. Instead, broadened peak-shaped responses are obtained. It follows that whenever a quasi-rectangular CV response proportional to scan rate is observed, such reputed pseudocapacitive behaviors should in fact be ascribed to truly capacitive double layer charging. We compare these results qualitatively with pseudocapacitor reports taken from the literature, including the classic RuO₂ and MnO₂ examples, and we present a quantitative analysis with phosphate cobalt oxide films. Our conclusions do not invalidate the numerous experimental studies carried out under the pseudocapacitance banner but rather provide a correct framework for their interpretation, allowing the dissection and optimization of charging rates on sound bases.

Through-Space Charge Interaction Substituent Effects in Molecular Catalysis Leading to the Design of the Most Efficient Catalyst of CO2-to-CO Electrochemical Conversion

The starting point of this study of through-space substituent effects on the catalysis of the electrochemical CO₂-to-CO conversion by iron(0) tetraphenylporphyrins is the linear free energy correlation between through-structure electronic effects and the iron(I/0) standard potential that we established separately. The introduction of four positively charged trimethylanilinium groups at the para positions of the tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) phenyls results in an important positive deviation from the correlation and a parallel improvement of the catalytic Tafel plot. The assignment of this catalysis boosting effect to the Coulombic interaction of these positive charges with the negative charge borne by the initial Fe⁰-CO₂ adduct is confirmed by the negative deviation observed when the four positive charges are replaced by four negative charges borne by sulfonate groups also installed in the para positions of the TPP phenyls. The climax of this strategy of catalysis boosting by means of Coulombic stabilization of the initial Fe⁰-CO₂ adduct is reached when four positively charged trimethylanilinium groups are introduced at the ortho positions of the TPP phenyls. The addition of a large concentration of a weak acid-phenol-helps by cleaving one of the C-O bonds of CO₂. The efficiency of the resulting catalyst is unprecedented, as can be judged by the catalytic Tafel plot benchmarking with all presently available catalysts of the electrochemical CO₂-to-CO conversion. The maximal turnover frequency (TOF) is as high as 10⁶ s^-1 and is reached at an overpotential of only 220 mV; the extrapolated TOF at zero overpotential is larger than 300 s^-1. This catalyst leads to a highly selective formation of CO (practically 100%) in spite of the presence of a high concentration of phenol, which could have favored H₂ evolution. It is also very stable, showing no significant alteration after more than 80 h of electrolysis.

Current Issues in Molecular Catalysis Illustrated by Iron Porphyrins as Catalysts of the CO2-to-CO Electrochemical Conversion

Recent attention aroused by the reduction of carbon dioxide has as main objective the production of useful products, the "solar fuels", in which solar energy would be stored. One route to this goal is the design of photochemical schemes that would operate this conversion using directly sun light energy. An indirect approach consists in first converting sunlight energy into electricity then using it to reduce CO2 electrochemically. Conversion of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide is thus a key step through the classical dihydrogen-reductive Fischer-Tropsch chemistry. Direct and catalytic electrochemical CO2 reduction already aroused active interest during the 1980-1990 period. The new wave of interest for these matters that has been growing since 2012 is in direct conjunction with modern energy issues. Among molecular catalysts, electrogenerated Fe(0) porphyrins have proved to be particularly efficient and robust. Recent progress in this field has closely associated the search of more and more efficient catalysts in the iron porphyrin family with an unprecedentedly rigorous deciphering of mechanisms. Accordingly, the coupling of proton transfer with electron transfer and breaking of one of the two C-O bonds of CO2 have been the subjects of relentless scrutiny and mechanistic analysis with systematic investigation of the degree of concertedness of these three events. Catalysis of the electrochemical CO2-to-CO conversion has thus been a good testing ground for the mechanism diagnostic strategies and the all concerted reactivity model proposed then. The role of added Brönsted acids, both as H-bond providers and proton donors, has been elucidated. These efforts have been a preliminary to the inclusion of the acid functionalities within the catalyst molecule, giving rise to considerable increase of the catalytic efficiency. The design of more and more efficient catalysts made it necessary to propose "catalytic Tafel plots" relating the turnover frequency to the overpotential as a rational way of benchmarking the catalysts within iron porphyrins and among all available molecular catalysts, independently of the characteristics of the electrolytic cell in use. To be reliable, such assignments of the intrinsic characteristics of catalysts are grounded in the accurate elucidation of mechanisms. Without forgetting the importance of large scale electrolysis, not only mobilization of all resources of nondestructive techniques such as cyclic voltammetry was necessary to achieve this challenge, but also new approaches, such as foot-of-the-wave analysis combined with raising of scan rate, had to be applied. The latest improvement in catalyst design was to render it water-soluble while preserving, or even augmenting, its catalytic efficiency. The replacement of the nonaqueous solvents so far used by water makes the CO2-to-CO half-cell reaction much more attractive for applications, allowing its association with a water-oxidation anode through a proton-exchange membrane. Manipulation of pH and buffering then allow CO2-to-CO conversions from those involving complete CO-selectivity to ones with prescribed CO-H2 mixtures. Overall, it appears that not only are iron porphyrins the most efficient catalysts of the CO2-to-CO electrochemical conversion but also they can serve to illustrate general issues concerning the field of molecular catalysis as a whole, including other reductive or oxidative processes.

Benchmarking of homogeneous electrocatalysts: overpotential, turnover frequency, limiting turnover number

In relation to contemporary energy challenges, a number of molecular catalysts for the activation of small molecules, mainly based on transition metal complexes, have been developed. The time has thus come to develop tools allowing the benchmarking of these numerous catalysts. Two main factors of merit are addressed. One involves their intrinsic catalytic performances through the comparison of "catalytic Tafel plots" relating the turnover frequency to the overpotential independently of the characteristics of the electrochemical cell. The other examines the effect of deactivation of the catalyst during the course of electrolysis. It introduces the notion of the limiting turnover number as a second key element of catalyst benchmarking. How these two factors combine with one another to control the course of electrolysis is analyzed in detail, leading to procedures that allow their separate estimation from measurements of the current, the charge passed, and the decay of the catalyst concentration. Illustrative examples from literature data are discussed.