FY2022 7th GXI Seminar "Chemical Synthesis Using Water and Electric Power"

The electrochemical potential has strong oxidizing and reducing power: multiplying a potential difference of 1.0 V by ΔG = 96485 J mol-1, or about 100 kJ mol-1, means that strong energy is involved in the chemical reaction. Oxidation and reduction reactions can be carried out using water and electric power (potential) without the use of oxidants such as organic peroxides or reducing agents such as metal hydrides. By applying this feature to electrolytic reactions using high minmolecular solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membranes and incorporating new electrocatalysts, it is possible to realize electroreduction of CO2, electrolytic synthesis of organic hydrides, and other challenging reactions that are valuable from a chemical industry perspective. Chemical synthesis by SPE electrolysis using water and electricity can be a core technology for the electrification of chemical processes.