Interfacial polarization enables dual pathways for electrosynthesis of propyl acetate.

ABSTRACT: The direct electrosynthesis of value-added esters from carbon monoxide (CO) represents a promising strategy for sustainable carbon utilization. In this study, we report the synthesis of propyl acetate with a faradaic efficiency of 16.5% and a partial current density reaching up to 24.7 mA cm^-2 via CO electrolysis on a polarized Cu/Cu₃N interface. Comprehensive mechanistic investigations elucidate a dual-pathway mechanism: ketene undergoes nucleophilic addition with n-propanol; and C₂-C₃ coupling occurs between nucleophilic *CH₂CO and electrophilic intermediates such as *COHCOCO. Charge redistribution and interfacial polarization induced by the Cu/Cu₃N interface reduce the activation barrier for the electrophili

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12679492 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature