Please join Yale Chemistry for a Silliman Colloquium in Physical/ Inorganic Chemistry with Jana Roithová, Professor of Spectroscopy and Catalysis, from Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
“Understanding reaction mechanisms is the key to developing new chemical reactions. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has a unique dynamic range that allows for studying reaction mixture compositions, including low-abundant reactive intermediates, side products, and degraded forms of catalysts.1 In the lecture, I will focus on mapping catalytic reactions and detecting and characterizing reaction intermediates.2 I will present our approach to using advanced mass spectrometry methods, such as ion spectroscopy, to characterize reactive species by vibrational and electronic spectroscopy.3
Recently, we developed an approach to bridge voltammetry experiments with screening species formed at the electrode by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (Figure 1).4 Our setup couples the redox waves in a cyclic voltammogram with the detected ions in mass spectra. This approach allows us to track the ions formed at the working electrode, tie them to the reaction mechanisms, and uncover the problems associated with mass transport and catalyst degradations.5,6 I will discuss some recent results in studying electrocatalytic reactions.7”
Sources: 1)J. Mehara, J. Roithova, Identifying reactive intermediates by mass spectrometry, Chem. Sci. 2020, 11, 11960.
2)G. L. Tripodi et al., Tracking Reaction Pathways by a Modular Flow Reactor Coupled to Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry, Chem. Methods 2021, 1, 430.
3)J. Roithová et al., Helium Tagging Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopy of Reactive Ions, Acc. Chem. Res. 2016, 49, 223.
4)A. Koovakattil Surendran, J. Roithová, Decoding Voltammograms at the Molecular Frontier: Integration of Voltammetry and Mass Spectrometry , Chem. Methods 2024, 4, e202400003.
5)A. Koovakattil Surendran et al., Host-guest tuning of the CO2 reduction activity of an iron porphyrin cage, Nat. Sci. 2023, 3, e20220019.
6)A. Bairagi et al., Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction: Monitoring of Catalytically Active, Downgraded, and Upgraded Cobalt Complexes, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 5480 – 5492.
7)A. Koovakattil Surendran et al., Intricacies of Mass Transport during Electrocatalysis: A Journey through Iron Porphyrin-Catalyzed Oxygen Reduction, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 15619–15626.
For more information on Jana Roithová’s research: Roithová Group
Hosted by Professor Mark Johnson.
This seminar can be viewed online here: Panopto
This seminar is generously sponsored by the Mrs. Hepsa Ely Silliman Memorial Fund.