Electrocatalysis is a branch of electrochemistry dealing with anodically and cathodically induced radical reaction mechanisms utilizing the electrochemical reactivity of an organometallic molecule. The best electrocatalysts display a highly reversible nature because it is desirable to be able to rejuvenate the electrocatalyst after controlled potential coulometry to be used in further reactions. Discuss how you would expect a perfectly reversible (irev/ifor=1) organometallic molecule with metal center Ch, bis(η5-cyclopentadienyl)Ch, call it Chongosene, to display its characteristics in CV timescale before and after electrolysis and after re-electrolysis. 15 mM Chongosene has E1/2 = 1.1 V vs. Cp2Fe0/+ and displays similar characteristics to ferrocene.
Question 1: Where might you want to run anodic electrolysis and cathodic re-electrolysis?
Question 2: How might the CVs and LSVs look? Draw diagrams.
Question 3: Say you decided to halt the electrolysis mid-way; please indicate the LSV which corresponds to stopping electrolysis at 50% convergence.
Question 4: You should sketch 7 graphs: pre, post, and post-re electrolysis CVs and LSVs as well as one LSV that you took during electrolysis. Your LSVs may be on the same graph; however, please provide separate CV graphs. Please provide a structure of Chongosene.