Wireless electroorganic synthesis

Abstract

Electroorganic synthesis is currently experiencing a renaissance due to the possible use of electricity as a rather green and sustainable reactant. Although extensive research has been carried out in this field, organic electrosynthesis suffers from certain limitations, such as rate-limiting mass transport, complicated supporting electrolyte removal and uneven heat transfer. Recently the concepts of endogenous (thermodynamically spontaneous) and exogenous (externally-driven) bipolar electrochemistry have been explored, in order to develop novel and straightforward electroorganic synthesis processes. This short review aims to highlight the current developments of endogenous and exogenous bipolar electrochemistry in the field of organic electrosynthesis and to discuss the advantages of these wireless approaches.