Spatially addressable electrolysis platform and methods of use

Abstract

An electrochemical cell system and method are described. The electrochemical cell system provides a matrix of reaction cells with a first electrode in each cell and a single multiple element counter electrode wherein there is a separate element which is inserted into each cell. Methods and applications of the multiple electrode platform are described. Also described are modified electrodes having immobilized redox catalysts at the electrode surfaces and their use in optimizing performance in electrochemical processes.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for conducting multiple electrosynthetic reactions simultaneously comprising: 
 i) two or more cells;    ii) an electrode in each of said cells;    iii) a counter electrode for each of said electrodes; and    iv) an energy source coupled to provide energy to each pair of electrode and counter electrodes.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the energy source provides galvanostatic conditions in each cell.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to either of claims  1  or  2  wherein the electrode and counter electrode are coated with a conducting polymer.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the conducting polymer is functionalized polypyrrole, polythiophene, or a functionalized copolymer of polypyrrole or polythiophene.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to anyone of claims  14  wherein the electrode and counter electrode are made from graphite, platinum, or ito glass.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to anyone of  claims 1  to  5  wherein the two or more cells are miniwells in a plate format.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the electrode is located at the bottom of the cell and the counter electrode is located on a platform member.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for conducting multiple electrosynthetic reactions simultaneously comprising: 
 v) 96 cells in a teflon block;    vi) an anode electrode in each of said cells;    vii) a complementary cathode electrode attached to a common terminal each of which is for insertion into each of said cells; and    viii) an energy source coupled to provide energy to each pair of cathode electrode and anode electrodes.    
     
     
         9 . A method of conducting multiple electrochemical reactions to produce libraries of compounds simultaneously in a single apparatus said method comprising the steps of: 
 i) adding an appropriate quantity of electrolyte solution to each cell of an apparatus according to  claim 1;     ii) adding an appropriate quantity of a substrate to each cell;    iii) adding an appropriate quantity of a reaction compound to each cell;    iv) placing the apparatus in a medium to maintain temperature;    v) conducting electrolysis; and    vi) isolating and characterizing any reaction products.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the energy source provides galvanostatic conditions in each cell.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to either of claims  9  or  10  wherein the electrode and counter electrode are coated with a conducting polymer.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the conducting polymer is functionalized polypyrrole, polythiophene, or a functionalized copolymer of polypyrrole or polythiophene.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to anyone of claims  9 - 12  wherein the electrode and counter electrode are made from graphite, platinum or ito glass.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to anyone of  claims 9  to  13  wherein the two or more cells are miniwells in a plate format.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the electrode is located at the bottom of the cell and the counter electrode is located on a platform member.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to anyone of  claims 9  to  15  wherein the electrolyte solution is acetonitrile.