Application of 12CaO•7Al2O3 electride as a new electrode for superoxide ion generation and hydroxylation of an arylboronic acid

Abstract

12CaO•7Al2O3 (C12A7) electride, which exhibits metallic conduction and 2.4eV work function, can be used as an electron emitter and chemical reagent. Herein we reveal a new application for C12A7 electride as electrode in electrochemical reactions. Cathodic reduction of oxygen at C12A7 electrode in acetonitrile generates superoxide ions (O2•−) using Bu4NClO4 as a supporting electrolyte. Iodometry reveals that this electrode shows a higher yield of O2•− ions than conventional electrodes such as Pt and glassy carbon. Moreover, O2•– ion–induced hydroxylation of p-(methylthio)phenylboronic acid using C12A7 electrode gives the corresponding phenol derivative with a yield of 90% at the charge apply of 2.5F·mol−1.