Research

Electrochemical Systems

Electrochemical Systems for Selective Chemical Processing.

Important reactions such as selective deprotection or co-factor regeneration systems will be selected for study as examples where reaction efficiencies are combined with separation strategies. The separation technology may be integral to the electrode as in the use of biomimetic membranes on electrodes or in a distinct unit operation such as extraction, ultrafiltration or electrodialysis. System modeling and economic considerations are important to find the best conditions. Apart from the project listed above on co-factor regeneration a proposal has been submitted to U.S. DOE EMSP on electrochemical synthesis of substituted polyazamacrocyclic compounds for separation of actinides and other metal ion contaminants. A crucial aspect will be the development of a separation and recovery system for the protecting groups in order to allow the process to be operated economically with the desired selectivity.