Date of Award

Spring 5-24-2019

Document Type

Honors Project

University Scholars Director

Christine Chaney

First Advisor/Committee Member

Samantha J. Robinson

Second Advisor/Committee Member

Kevin Bartlett

Keywords

catalysis, hydrogenation, electrochemistry

Abstract

To lessen environmentalstrain and decrease dependency on noble metals for catalysis, first-row metals are continuously being explored as alternative catalysts for reactions of interest, particularly those that close the carbon cycle or promote fuel production. Recently, homogeneous cobalt catalysts have been shown to be viable options for effective hydrogenation of C-O double bonds, with cobalt-triphos being of particular interest. Here, we report the characterization of synthesized a cobalt-triphos complex by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy. Analysis of the electrochemistry of the cobalt-triphos complex suggests promising electrocatalytic capability for the hydrogenation of acetone to produce isopropanol.

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