Recent advances in photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) for organic synthesis

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) have emerged as an environmentally friendly tool for fuel production, conversion of carbon dioxide, water splitting, and pollutant degradation in the past few years. Although PECs show advantages in these areas, their application in organic synthesis has just begun. Recently, oxidation, C–H functionalization and cross-coupling have been successfully achieved in PECs by the use of an oxidizing photoanode, such as BiVO₄ or WO₃, for the construction of C–N, C–O and C–P bonds. This highlight article focuses on the application of PECs in organic synthesis reactions and their reaction mechanisms, with a special emphasis on enantioselective conversions.