Local pH near electrodes found to decide chemical reaction outcomes

Researchers at Seoul National University led by Jaeyune Ryu showed that acidity right next to electrodes differs sharply from bulk solution and can make or break a reaction. Controlling local pH raised the yield of the desired product from about 16% to 97% in Baeyer–Villiger oxidation without added peroxide oxidants.

• Desired product share rose from 16% to 97%
• Local pH reaches ~11 at the cathode and ~2.5 at the anode
• 89% of 600+ electrosynthesis papers since 2010 involve proton transfer
• Method uses oxygen and electricity instead of peroxyacids