Metallic Electrocatalyzed C-N Bond Formations: New Catalytic Modes and Technologies

Abstract

The current state-of-the-art hot research topics for C-N bond formations had focused on versatile and mild transformations. Conventional transition-metal-catalyzed methods were typically conducted with specific ligands, high temperatures as well as stoichiometric alkoxide bases or oxidants. In this regard, metallic electrocatalyzed protocols had emerged as elegant strategies with electronic oxidative or reductive agents. This synergetic catalytic system revealed many potential advantages compared to direct electrolysis by overcoming the energy barrier and facilitating the rate-limiting steps in oxidative addition, transmetalation or reductive elimination. This review comprehensively highlighted recent developments in metallic electrocatalyzed C-N bond formations with new methodologies and technologies. Major emphases were placed on key factors during methodology development as well as detailed mechanism verification and description. The synthetic applications and prospects were also provided in the field of metallic electrosynthesis.