Design of highly effective organic catalyst for hydrazine electrooxidation: Iodobenzo[b]furan derivatives

In this study, we investigate the electrochemical characteristics of 2-aryl/alkyl-3-iodobenzo[b]furans as anode catalysts for hydrazine (N2H4) fuel cells. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques are employed to investigate the performance of these heteroaromatic compounds. The results demonstrate the promising potential of the 2-aryl/alkyl-3-iodobenzo[b] furans in fuel cell technology. Among the tested organic catalysts (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, and 2e), 2a exhibited the highest electrocatalytic activity, giving a total current density of 26.62 mA/cm2 within the potential range of -0.4 to -0.8 V. 2-aryl/alkyl-3-iodobenzo[b]furans were synthesized by using palladium/copper-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions, followed by electrophilic cyclization with iodine (I2). All products were characterized using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, confirming their structures and providing insights into their chemical properties.