An overview of electrochemical olefination for sustainable alkene synthesis

Abstract

Electrochemical olefination has emerged as a fascinating alternative to classical phosphorus based and stoichiometric oxidant dependent methods for constructing carbon–carbon double bonds. This review comprehensively examines electrochemical strategies for alkene synthesis, including anodic oxidation, cathodic reduction, and hybrid metalla-electrocatalytic approaches. It discusses mechanistic insights involving radical and organometallic intermediates, evaluates functional-group tolerance in structurally complex substrates, and highlights recent technological advances and emerging applications in asymmetric synthesis and pharmaceutical derivatization. We evaluate catalytic systems featuring metal-free as well as palladium, rhodium, nickel, and cobalt catalyzed/mediated synthetic strategies across diverse molecular scaffolds. Strategic integration with renewable electricity infrastructure and complementary activation modes including photocatalysis positions electrochemical olefination as an indispensable component of contemporary sustainable synthesis across academic and industrial protocols.