My Vision of Electric-Field-Aided Chemistry in 2050

Abstract

This manuscript outlines my outlook on the development of electric-field (EF)-mediated-chemistry and the vision of its state by 2050. I discuss applications of oriented-external electric-fields (OEEFs) on chemical reactions and proceed with relevant experimental verifications. Subsequently, the Perspective outlines other ways of generating EFs, e.g., by use of pH-switchable charges, ionic additives, water droplets, and so on. A special section summarizes conceptual principles for understanding and predicting OEEF effects, e.g., the "reaction-axis rule", the capability of OEEFs to act as tweezers that orient reactants and accelerate their reaction, etc. Finally, I discuss applications of OEEFs in continuous-flow setups, which may, in principle, scale-up to molar concentrations. The Perspective ends with the vision that by 2050, OEEF usage will change chemical education, if not also the art of making new molecules.

Quantum Tunneling Instability in Pericyclic Reactions

“…Obviously the variability is large, with 1At and 2Ac having the chance to be stable for years, 3C for a month or so, and 2At , 7 and 9 for minutes to hours. Again, without considering QT all these systems would have been wrongly taken as eternal (in laboratory terms). Oriented external electric fields (OEEF) can severely affect the molecular reactivity, − especially when the dipole moment of a molecule sharply changes between the reactant and the transition state. Compound 9 , as explained above, was already studied by our group to test its stability under a strong electric field .…”

“…Oriented external electric fields (OEEF) can severely affect the molecular reactivity, − especially when the dipole moment of a molecule sharply changes between the reactant and the transition state. Compound 9 , as explained above, was already studied by our group to test its stability under a strong electric field .…”

“…In that study we observed that depending on the strength and direction of the field, the molecular degradation can be massively accelerated or, if set in the opposite direction, completely prevented. This gives a small hope of designing effective methods for creating and isolating some of these otherwise unsynthesizable systems, if the equipment to create these strong electric force fields can be achieved Compounds 3Ac , 3At , 3B , 3D , 4 , 5 , 6, and 11 are the most interesting for us.…”

Deciphering the Microdroplet Acceleration Factors of Aza-Michael Addition Reactions

“…Xiong and co-workers measured the surface electric field of water microdroplets to be on the order of 10 9 V/m by stimulated Raman excited fluorescence microscopy, consistent with the theoretical simulations by the Head-Gordon group . High IEFs oriented along the reaction axis, i.e., the directions of the redistribution of electrons from the reactant to the product and the change in the dipole moment, lead to a lower reaction barrier. − A series of organic reactions induced by IEF on water microdroplets have been reported to exhibit a pronounced acceleration compared to the reactions in the bulk phase. ,− …”

Mechanistic Studies of Stimulus–Response Integrated Catalysis of Single-Atom Alloys under Electric Fields for Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction

“…Different from traditional metal catalysts, the newly developed single-atom alloys (SAAs), in which an active metal atom is doped in isolation into the surface of another host metal (e.g., the coinage metals), exhibit not only synergy effects as a bimetallic alloy but also high activity and selectivity as a single-atom catalyst and, accordingly, are expected to promote the adsorption and reduction of molecular N 2 . − Thermodynamically, the essence of a catalytic process is to adjust the adsorption behavior of intermediates for improved activity. Therefore, apart from an effective catalyst, external stimuli, e.g., mechanic force, light irradiation, and electric/magnetic fields, can also alter the characters of adsorbates and affect reaction mechanisms. − In particular, because of the tunable intensity and sensitive modulation on electronic properties, the oriented external electric field (OEEF) has been proven as an invisible but powerful game changer in chemical processes. − Very recently, pioneering experiments of the OEEF-catalyzed Diels–Alder reaction and OEEF-modulated electrochemical oxygen/hydrogen evolution reactions clearly showed the superior catalytic performance of OEEFs in both thermal and electrochemical reactions. − Accordingly, we expected that the electric field can effectively alter the adsorption of key intermediates and facilitate the reduction of N 2 .…”