James Rusling Abstract The goal of this project is an understanding of the dynamics of surfactant microstructures adsorbed on electrodes from microemulsions and their influence on rates of mediated reactions. Electrochemical kinetic studies are used to relate surfactant and reactant adsorption-desorption dynamics on electrodes to chemical reaction rates. Surface dynamics are measured by time-resolved flow voltammetry and by simplified electrochemical microscopy. the adsorption dymanics and reactivity of mediators on electrodes are also obtained. Using a stirred, batch, electrochemical reactor, the rates of mediated syntheses, measured by voltammetry, and of bulk electrolysis in microemulsions and in isotropic solutions are compared and correlations with adsorption dynamics are sought. Reactions selected for study include carbon-carbon bond formation, functional group deprotection, and production of olefins. Mediators include transition-metal corrins and phthalocyanine an their derivatives. Mediated electrochemical reactions (reactions involving an intermediate or catalyst that carries the electron (or hole) from the electrode to the substrate of interest) are enhanced by surfactants adsorbed on electrodes. Microemulsions offer an attractive way to introduce and control these processes. This approach can provide clean, efficient, cost-effective processes for producing high-value-added chemical products such as drugs and dyes.
