Mediator-Enabled Co-Catalyzed Semihydrogenation Now Published in ACS Catalysis

Congrats to the amazing collaborative team of Bryan (BU), Remy (UCLA), Ethan (BU), Tapas (UCLA), Yaning (UCLA), and Zi (BU) for their publication in ACS Catalysis, marking the first of many incredible collaborations with the amazing Gutierrez Lab at UCLA!

In this final version, the team proposes a unique (dppe)Co(I)-acid-alkyne assembly that is reduced via MS-PCET with a cobaltocene redox mediator. An inner-sphere protonation governed by acid binding was revealed to be critical for achieving high Z-selectivities. From CV/DFT mechanistic studies to natural product synthesis, Bryan and team have also developed a practical setup for the reaction and demonstrated its impressive efficiency (>99% FE) over the course of the electrolysis. Stay tuned for further developments in this area!