Room temperature electro-carboxylation of styrene and stilbene derivatives: a comparative study

Alhathlaul, Nada (2023) Room temperature electro-carboxylation of styrene and stilbene derivatives: a comparative study. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Electrochemistry is a rapidly growing discipline within the physical sciences that encompasses a wide range of processes across various domains. Although electrochemistry has already found its place in applications, there exists significant potential for further advancement in other fields. In response to the growing demand for environmentally sustainable practices to supplant conventional, ecologically harmful methods, the electro-reduction of carbon dioxide emerges as a promising solution in numerous sectors.

In Chapter 1, there will be an introductory discussion regarding carbon dioxide and the importance of reducing carbon dioxide, then an analysis of some previous studies of electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction under different reaction conditions. Chapter 2 of the thesis will delve into a comprehensive discussion of the various techniques utilized, including electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry, and analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS).

Chapter 3 presents results obtained relating to the reduction of various phenyl alkenes in the presence of carbon dioxide using a nickel mesh working electrode. Data on the cyclic voltammetry and reduction potentials of these alkenes will be shown, and the Faradic efficiency, product distributions and yields for each substrate will be discussed. The chapter also includes an analysis of products using NMR (both 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR). Further product analysis using mass spectrometry (MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) techniques will be given.

Chapter 4 will examine the results of the reduction of phenyl alkene substrates in the presence of carbon dioxide using benzonitrile as a homogeneous catalyst. Subsequently, a comparative analysis will be conducted to evaluate the yield and Faradic efficiency achieved, comparing the results obtained using the nickel mesh and, in the presence, / absence of benzonitrile (BN) while maintaining identical reaction conditions. The objective is to identify any trends in reaction outcomes associated with nickel mesh electrodes. Last, Chapter 5 will summarize and discuss what is been done and suggest some ideas for future work.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Supervisor's Name: Symes, Professor Mark D.
• Date of Award: 2023
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2023-84185
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 02 Apr 2024 14:59
• Last Modified: 02 Apr 2024 15:01
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.84185
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/84185

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