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A Mechanistic and Cautionary Case Study on the Use of Alternating Potential in Electrochemical Reactions
Author(s) -
Wills Alfie G.,
Poole Darren L.,
Alder Catherine M.,
Reid Marc
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.202000648
Subject(s) - polarity (international relations) , electrochemistry , electrode , toluene , electrode potential , materials science , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , cell , biochemistry
A mechanistic study on use of alternating potential (i. e. electrode polarity switching) in synthetic organic electrochemical method development using the IKA ElectraSyn 2.0 is described. Unexpected product selectivity challenges revealed that alternating potential facilitated direct, rather than mediated, electrochemical benzylic C−H oxidation of toluene derivatives. Whilst constant potential irrespective of the direction of electrode polarity was expected, our in‐depth analysis revealed changes in the magnitude of applied potential with periodic switching of electrode polarity. These findings highlight an equipment engineering concern that is likely to influence and inform optimization strategies for a wide range of synthetic organic electrochemical methods under development.