Date of Award
Spring 4-30-2025
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Chemistry
Department Chair or Program Director
Dr. K. Nicole Crowder
First Advisor
Dr. K. Nicole Crowder
Second Advisor
Dr. Kelli M. Slunt
Third Advisor
Dr. E. Davis Oldham
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Sarah E. Smith
Major or Concentration
Biochemistry
Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) offers a promising strategy for reducing excess atmospheric CO2 by converting it into valuable chemical products. This process can be catalyzed by transition metal complexes, particularly those with extended aromatic ligands such as terpyridines which coordinate with metals in a tridentate fashion. When tethered to an electrode, the terpyridine-metal catalyst complex allows for stable binding and reusability without the need for chemical separation to recover the catalyst. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of (3-bromopropyl) phosphonic acid were formed on copper surfaces, enabling attachment of terpyridine ligands through a click reaction between a substituted azide and a terminal alkyne on the terpyridine. Surface assembly was optimized by varying solvents and concentrations of (3-bromopropyl) phosphonic acid, with optimal coverage observed with 1.0 mM (3-bromopropyl) phosphonic acid in acetone. Click reaction conditions were modified to form strong and irreversible triazole linkages between the SAM and the functional ligand, and the terpyridine-metal complexes were synthesized in solution. Click products and ligand synthesis in solution were characterized using 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy, and surface bound products were characterized through fixed angle specular reflectance IR. This stepwise synthesis of a stable, surface-bound catalytic system offers an approach towards efficient and reusable electrochemical CO2 reduction systems.
Recommended Citation
Goehner, Emma J., "Synthesis of Surface Bound Ligands Through Click Chemistry for a Tethered Catalyst System towards the Reduction of Carbon Dioxide" (2025). Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects. 622.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/622