Accelerating H2 Evolution by Anodic Semi‐dehydrogenation of Tetrahydroisoquinolines in Water over Co3O4 Nanoribbon Arrays Decorated Nickel Foam. Issue 27 (14th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiang, Ming; Xu, Zhihua; Wang, Jinghao; Yang, Xiaoqiu; Yan, Zhaoxiong
• Is Part Of: Chemistry. Volume 27:Issue 27(2021)
• Page Start: 7502
• Page End: 7506
• Publication Date: 2021-04-14
• Subjects: Co3O4 electrocatalyst -- dihydroisoquinolines -- energy-saving -- hydrogen evolution reaction -- semi-dehydrogenation; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.202100249
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-6539

Abstract

Abstract: Coupling the H2 evolution reaction in water with thermodynamically favorable organic oxidation reactions is highly desirable, because it can enhance the energy conversion efficiency compared with electrocatalytic water splitting, and produce value‐added chemicals instead of O2 in the anodic reaction. Herein, Co3 O4 nanoribbon arrays in situ grown on nickel foam (Co3 O4 @NF) was employed as an effective electrocatalyst for the selective oxidation of tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs). Various value‐added semi‐dehydrogenation products including dihydroisoquinolines with electro‐deficient or ‐rich groups could be obtained with moderate yields and faradaic efficiencies. Benefitting from the rich surface active sites of Co3 O4 @NF, a two‐electrode (Co3 O4 @NF||Pt) electrolytic system drove a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm −2 at a cell voltage as low as 1.446 V in 1.0 M KOH aqueous solution containing 0.02 M THIQ, which was reduced by 174 mV in comparison with that of overall water splitting. Abstract : Semi‐dehydrogenation conversion based on a cobalt electrocatalyst was employed to accelerate hydrogen evolution in water. The Co3 O4 nanoribbon arrays modified nickel foam anode provided rich active sites for the transformation of tetrahydroisoquinolines into various value‐added dihydroisoquinolines. Electro‐activated higher‐valent cobalt and plenty of surface oxygen species were responsible for promoting the electrocatalytic oxidation.