Alcohol and Carbonyl Redox Reactions in Electrochemical Organic Synthesis

Abstract

The primary aim of this review is to provide an overview of relevant and efficient methods in organic electrosynthesis, presented in a reader-friendly format. The focus is on the electrochemical oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes and carboxylic acids, the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids, and the oxidation of secondary alcohols to ketones. Additionally, the corresponding electrochemical reductions, such as the reduction of carboxylic acids to aldehydes and primary alcohols, the reduction of aldehydes to primary alcohols, and the reduction of ketones to secondary alcohols, are also covered. For each type of reaction, an easy-to-follow table provides readers with essential information (e.g., substrates, working electrode, electrolyte, cell type, synthesis notes, and references), enabling a quick yet comprehensive overview of the electrosynthetic possibilities for a given functional group. The review also explores recent advancements in organic electrosynthesis, encompassing both direct and mediated techniques. As electrochemical alternatives to classical organic synthesis continue to garner increasing attention, it is hoped that this review will serve as a valuable resource for those interested in evaluating these synthetic approaches.