Research Progress on Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Olefins: From Catalytic Mechanism Studies to Reactor Design

Abstract

Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are important chemical intermediates, yet their conventional industrial production routes are associated with high energy consumption and significant carbon intensity. Electrocatalytic oxidation powered by renewable electricity offers a promising low-carbon approach for the selective conversion of light olefins under mild conditions. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in the electrocatalytic conversion of ethylene and propylene into epoxides and diols. Particular emphasis is placed on two major mechanistic pathways: direct oxidation via active oxygen species and indirect oxidation mediated by halogen species, including chlorine- and bromine-based routes. Within this framework, state-of-the-art catalyst design strategies and the underlying reaction mechanisms are critically analyzed. The development of olefin epoxidation reaction engineering is also reviewed, with a focus on optimizing key practical performance metrics, such as current density, Faradaic efficiency, and long-term operational stability. Furthermore, we describe the electrolyzers involved in the olefin oxidation process, which hold promise for achieving industrial-scale applications. Finally, a forward-looking perspective is presented on the major challenges and future directions in this field, including the design of highly stable electrocatalysts, deeper mechanistic understanding, seamless integration with renewable electricity systems, the construction of tandem reaction platforms, and the large-scale implementation of advanced reactor architectures.