Electro-inductive effect: Electrodes as functional groups with tunable electronic properties
Joon Heo, Hojin Ahn, Joonghee Won, Jin Gyeong Son, Hyun Kyong Shon, Tae Geol Lee, Sang Woo Han, Mu‐Hyun Baik
Abstract
In place of functional groups that impose different inductive effects, we immobilize molecules carrying thiol groups on a gold electrode. By applying different voltages, the properties of the immobilized molecules can be tuned. The base-catalyzed saponification of benzoic esters is fully inhibited by applying a mildly negative voltage of -0.25 volt versus open circuit potential. Furthermore, the rate of a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction can be changed by applying a voltage when the arylhalide substrate is immobilized on a gold electrode. Finally, a two-step carboxylic acid amidation is shown to benefit from a switch in applied voltage between addition of a carbodiimide coupling reagent and introduction of the amine.