Open AccessSynthetic Organic Electrochemistry: An Enabling and Innately Sustainable Method
Author(s) -
Evan J. Horn,
Brandon R. Rosen,
Phil S. Baran
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acs central science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.893
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 2374-7951
pISSN - 2374-7943
DOI - 10.1021/acscentsci.6b00091
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , sustainability , reagent , electrochemistry , biochemical engineering , organic molecules , electrolysis , scalability , computer science , nanotechnology , organic synthesis , combinatorial chemistry , chemistry , molecule , materials science , organic chemistry , engineering , catalysis , ecology , history , electrode , database , electrolyte , biology , archaeology
While preparative electrolysis of organic molecules has been an active area of research over the past century, modern synthetic chemists have generally been reluctant to adopt this technology. In fact, electrochemical methods possess many benefits over traditional reagent-based transformations, such as high functional group tolerance, mild conditions, and innate scalability and sustainability. In this Outlook we highlight illustrative examples of electrochemical reactions in the context of the synthesis of complex molecules, showcasing the intrinsic benefits of electrochemical reactions versus traditional reagent-based approaches. Our hope is that this field will soon see widespread adoption in the synthetic community.