Electrochemistry
Frustrated Lewis pairs oxidize H2 without metals
Open access · cc by · source: Europe PMC
A carbon Lewis acid, BArF18, and lutidine cleave H2 and oxidize it at carbon electrodes about 1 V milder, without CO poisoning.
How this study connects
Role on claims
Each row is a claim on a concept or method page where this paper supports, challenges, or qualifies the statement. Roles are hand-checked — not a model guess.
Not yet placed on a claim. This paper has study layers, but no concept page yet cites it as support, challenge, or qualifier.
Inspect source passages
Frustrated Lewis pairs oxidize H2 without metals
These passages occur verbatim in the stored paper text. They support the points listed below; they do not verify every statement in the explanation.
H2 pre-activation as 1-H gives an astonishing 1 V decrease at carbon electrodes.
The pre-activation of H 2 in the form of 1 -H results in an astonishing 1 V decrease in the potential that is required for H 2 oxidation at ubiquitous carbon electrodes.
That 1 V shift equals about 197 kJ mol−1 and is 110 mV better than prior FLP systems.
This represents a significant decrease in the required energetic driving force for H 2 oxidation (equivalent to ca. 197 kJ mol –1 ) and a further 110 mV improvement over previous electrochemical–FLP systems.
Key findings
Pre-formed 1-H lowers the H2 oxidation potential by ~1 V (~197 kJ mol−1) and another 110 mV versus prior FLP electrochemistry. After 25 min at 20 °C, 30% of 1+ is hydrided; conversion is quantitative in 17 h. The system tolerates CO and avoids H2-evolution side reactions.
Methodology
Authors combined a carbon-based Lewis acid (1+), a boron hydride-shuttle (BArF18), and 2,6-lutidine, tracked H2 activation by NMR and CV, and cycled bulk electrolysis at carbon paper.
Limitations
An operating H2/O2 fuel cell and a fully air-stable boron FLP are future goals; a fourth H2 charge failed until more lutidine was added.
Related papers in this topic
Same topic cluster — not a recommendation engine.