Asymmetric Electrochemical Synthesis Driven by Fixed Chiral Catalysts on Graphene

Asymmetric  catalysis  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  effective  techniques  for  rapidly constructing chiral molecules. However, the need for rational design of well-defined catalyst structures often results in homogeneous systems, which pose challenges in catalyst recycling and separation. A typical solution is to immobilize well-defined chiral molecular catalysts on heterogeneous supports, a field still under development. The immobilization of chiral catalysts on  electrodes  for  asymmetric  electrochemical  synthesis  is  particularly  underdeveloped,  with only sporadic studies demonstrating unsatisfactory asymmetric control.In this proposal, we aim to incorporate well-defined chiral molecular catalysts onto graphene to  create  chiral  electrochemical  catalysts.  Specifically,  a  covalent  bonding  strategy  will  be employed to securely anchor the chiral catalysts to the graphene substrate, preventing catalyst leaching. We will focus on immobilizing two representative types of catalysts: transition metal-based and organo-based chiral catalysts. These modified chiral electrodes will then be used to catalyze asymmetric electrochemical reactions, facilitating the synthesis of value-added chiral molecules. Additionally, the chiral electrodes will be thoroughly characterized to elucidate the catalytic mechanisms involved.