Roles of the base in the electrocatalytic reactions: A case study of glycine electrooxidation

2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-1-piperidine N-oxyl (TEMPO) and nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) mediated electrooxidation of glycine were performed and roles of bases in these two reactions were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Trends of 2,4,6-collidine > 2,6-lutidine > 3-picoline > pyridine and KOH > NaOH > LiOH were observed in the studies of bases dependent activities on TEMPO and Ni(OH)2 mediated glycine electrooxidation, respectively. Base effects can be rationalized by acid neutralization, base assisted deprotonation and the interaction between bases and catalysts.