This project is in the general area of analytical and surface chemistry and in the subfield of electrosynthesis. It is part of a joint National Science Foundation/Electric Power Research Institute program of research on electrochemical synthesis. During the tenure of this three-year standard grant, Professors Natan and Allara and their students will carry out experimental studies of the extent to which structured interfaces can be used to induce selectivity in electrosynthetic processes. Three research thrusts will be pursued: electrocatalysis at conducting inorganic materials, enantioselective electrochemistry at chiral self-assembled monolayers and at chiral semiconductors, and functionalization of gallium arsenide with organothiolate films. In the first two thrusts, the electrode structure is tailored to function in a highly specific way using established criteria from biological and organic chemistry. The research on gallium arsenide is exploratory and capitalizes on recent discoveries in the principal investigators' laboratories. All three thrusts involve extensive characterization of the electrochemical interface using both in situ and ex situ techniques. %%% This research should lead to an enhanced understanding of those factors which control chiral electrosynthesis. The successful attainment of the goals of this project could enable the design of efficient and environmentally benign electrosynthetic routes to the production of specialty chemicals.
