Trends in organic electrosynthesis

Abstract

Electrochemistry is a clean and convenient method for the generation on a preparative scale of many reactive intermediates (radical-ions, radicals, carbanions, carbocations, quinodimethanes). This forms the basis of organic electrosynthesis and conditions have been devised for selective and useful chemical conversions. Particularly useful and versatile are carbon-carbon bond forming reactions such as those involving the Kolbe reaction, electrohydrodimerisations and N-acyliminium cations. The in situ electrogeneration and regeneration of redox reagents in non-stoichiometric amounts, and the related redox catalysis, is proving to be an attractive, indirect, electrosynthetic approach. And mechanistic insight into useful preparative reactions is now at an advanced stage.