Designing efficient catalysts for electrocatalytic organic synthesis: From electronic structure to adsorption behavior

Summary

Electrocatalytic organic synthesis (EOS) reactions can be implemented at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and substitute electrons for strong oxidizing/reducing agents, which has attracted widespread attention due to their eco-friendliness, mild conditions, high controllability, and excellent selectivity. EOS usually occurs at the electrode-electrolyte interface, accompanied by the mass transfer of gas, liquid molecules, and ions. Thus, the adsorption behavior of various key intermediates in EOS engenders a profound influence on yield, selectivity, and faradic efficiency. The electronic structure of the electrocatalyst is directly related to the adsorption behavior of key intermediates. In this review, we focused on discussing the strategies for modifying the electronic structure of electrocatalysts as well as the relationship among electronic structure, rate-determining steps, adsorption behavior of key intermediates, and related kinetic parameters of the electrocatalyst. This review is expected to help our comprehension of the adsorption behavior of reactants and key intermediates during EOS.