
doi: 10.1021/jacs.5c12075
The expression “catalytic reversibility” describes the situation where a bidirectional molecular redox catalyst can function in either direction of the reaction under near equilibrium conditions, as observed with various redox enzymes and with an increasing number of synthetic inorganic complexes. Understanding how this property emerges is crucial to the design of efficient catalysts. Here, for a two-electron reaction, we compare the voltammetric responses of the catalysts for two distinct general mechanisms: the unimolecular pathway includes two successive electron transfers with the electrode and pseudo-first-order chemical steps and was described before (Fourmond et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 141, 11269 (2019)); the bimolecular mechanism includes a single interfacial electron transfer and one intermolecular electron transfer in solution. The general theory of the latter is derived here. The predictions of the kinetic models are compared to data available in the literature, and diagnosis criteria are discussed with emphasis on the shapes of the sigmoidal steady-state catalytic voltammograms. We describe the kinetic and thermodynamic requirements for redox molecular catalysts to work reversibly.
Electron transfer, Kinetics, Electrochemistry, [CHIM.CATA] Chemical Sciences/Catalysis, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, Catalysis
Electron transfer, Kinetics, Electrochemistry, [CHIM.CATA] Chemical Sciences/Catalysis, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, Catalysis
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
