Organic Electrosynthesis Towards Sustainability: Fundamentals and Greener Methodologies

Abstract

The adoption of new measures that preserve our environment, on which our survival depends, is a necessity. Electro‐organic processes are sustainable per se, by producing the activation of a substrate by electron transfer at normal pressure and room temperature. In the recent years, a highly crescent number of works on organic electrosynthesis are available. Novel strategies at the electrode are being developed enabling the construction of a great variety of complex organic molecules. However, the possibility of being scaled‐up is mandatory in terms of sustainability. Thus, some electrochemical methodologies have demonstrated to report the best results in reducing pollution and saving energy. In this personal account, these methods have been compiled, being organized as follows: • Direct discharge electrosynthesis • Paired electrochemical reactions. and • Organic transformations utilizing electrocatalysis (in absence of heavy metals). Selected protocols are herein presented and discussed with representative recent examples. Final perspectives and reflections are also considered.

Versatile Electrochemical Synthesis of Selenylbenzo[b]Furan Derivatives Through the Cyclization of 2-Alkynylphenols

“…In recent years, organic electrochemistry has emerged as an attractive and suitable approach ( Martins et al, 2019a ; Martins et al, 2020 ; Scheide et al, 2021 ; Huang et al, 2022 ). Such reactions are economically attractive, requiring only an electric current as a redox medium ( Cembellín and Cembellín 2021 ). In this regard, with the use of electrochemistry, alkyne functionalization in single-stage mode and cyclization have been showing high efficiency, being carried out under milder conditions ( Martins et al, 2019b ).…”

Electrochemical formal homocoupling of sec-alcohols

“…Electroorganic chemistry has been recognized as an environmentally benign and powerful strategy to promote redox reactions using electricity as a traceless oxidant or reductant [24][25][26][27][28]. Electrochemical pinacol coupling would be a promising alternative to avoid the use of low-valent metal reductants.…”

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Furans through Electrochemical Selenocyclization of Homopropargylic Alcohols

“…Recently, electro-organic synthesis has been perceived as an emerging field of research due to its environmentally benign and economically viable features . This approach provides sustainable alternatives to stoichiometric redox reagents and thus reduces the generation of copious toxic wastes . In 2019, Lei reported on the electrochemical selenocyclization of olefinic carbonyls .…”