Preparation and Characterization of functionalized graphite electrode for organic reactions

Organic synthesis using both electrospray and photocatalysis is an emerging research area. Using the higher applied potential through droplet chemistry, various selective organic reactions can be performed in a miniaturized scale. Flow assisted charged-droplet reactions does not only accelerate the reaction rates from hours to minutes, also improve the product selectivity. Combining the visible light with advanced electrochemical reaction processes is an alternative and advanced technique used for selective oxidation of organic compounds. In this process, the reactions were initiated by photoexcited electron-transfer to generate radicals via externally applied potentials. Some of the key pharmaceutical intermediates can be produced by mild reaction conditions unlike the conventional reaction synthesis. However, there are several major challenges for photo-initiated reactions: (i) relatively slow processes that require long processing time, and (ii) the stability of the catalyst under the sunlight (photo bleach, self-degradation). To overcome these challenges, we purpose to design and evaluate wide range of composite nanomaterials based on the graphite network, using the sol-gel chemistry which include boron with iron oxide, tungsten oxide, zinc oxide and graphitic carbon nitride. To demonstrate the applicability of the catalysts, following model reactions are proposed, such as, oxidative cyanation, and oxidation of furfural. The sol-gel coated electrodes will be characterized using AFM, SEM, EDS, Raman, XPS, XRD spectroscopy as well as the mechanical stability of the electrodes which includes roughness and hardness measurements. The proposed reaction intermediates will be monitored using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.