The Role of Alkali Cations on the Selectivity of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Electroreduction on Glassy Carbon.

In the past decade, organic electrosynthesis has emerged as an atom- and energy-efficient strategy for harvesting renewable electricity that provides exceptional control over the reaction parameters. A profound and fundamental understanding of electrochemical interfaces becomes imperative to advance the knowledge-based development of electrochemical processes. The major strategy toward an efficient electrochemical system is based on the advancement in material science for electrocatalysis. Studies on the complex interplay among electrode surface, electrolyte, and transformation intermediates have only recently started to emerge. It involves acquiring atomic-scale insights into the electrochemical double layer, for which the identity and concentration of composing ions play a crucial role. In this study, we present how the identity and concentration of alkali cations impact the selectivity of aldehyde functionality electroreduction. As a case-study transformation, we set the electrochemical conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a promising biomass-derived feedstock for the sustainable production of polymer or fuel precursors. Our findings reveal a consistent trend of the selectivity shift towards 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) as a function of cation size and concentration, rationalized by specific cation adsorption at the glassy carbon (GC), followed by the increase in the electrode surface charge density.

Tethered Alkylammonium Dications as Electrochemical Interface Modifiers: Chain Length Effect on CO2 Reduction Selectivity at Industry-Relevant Current Density.

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) has the potential to be an economically viable method to produce platform chemicals synergistically with renewable energy sources. Copper is one of the most commonly used electrocatalysts for this purpose, as it allows C-C bond formation, yielding a broad product distribution. Controlling selectivity is a stepping stone on the way to its industrial application. The kinetics of the reaction can be modified to favor the rates of certain products quickly and inexpensively by applying additives such as ionic liquids and coelectrolytes that directly affect the electrocatalytic interface. In this work, we propose tethered tetraalkylammonium salts as double-charged cationic modifiers of the electrochemical double layer to control CO2RR product selectivity. A novel setup comprising a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) flow cell coupled with real-time mass spectroscopy was used to study the effect of a library of the selected salts. We emphasize how the length of an alkyl linker effectively controls the selectivity of the reaction toward C1, C2, or C3 products at high relevant current densities (Jtotal = -400 mA cm-2) along with the inhibition of the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction. Standard long-term experiments were performed for quantitative validation and stability evaluation. These results have broad implications for further tailoring an effective catalytic system for selective CO2 reduction reaction.

On-line Electrode Dissolution Monitoring during Organic Electrosynthesis: Direct Evidence of Electrode Dissolution during Kolbe Electrolysis.

Electrode dissolution was monitored in real-time during Kolbe electrolysis along with the characteristic products. The fast determination of appropriate reaction conditions in electro-organic chemistry enables the minimization of electrode degradation while keeping an eye on the optimal formation rate and distribution of products. Herein, essential parameters influencing the dissolution of the electrode material platinum in a Kolbe electrolysis were pinpointed. The formation of reaction products and soluble platinum species were monitored during potentiodynamic and potentiostatic experiments using an electroanalytical flow cell coupled to two different mass spectrometers. The approach opens new vistas in the field of electro-organic chemistry because it enables precise and quick quantification of dissolved metals during electrosynthesis, also involving electrode materials other than platinum. Furthermore, it draws attention to the vital topic of electrode stability in electro-organic synthesis, which becomes increasingly important for the implementation of green chemical processes utilizing renewable energy.

Nickel-Catalyzed Chain-Walking Cross-Electrophile Coupling of Alkyl and Aryl Halides and Olefin Hydroarylation Enabled by Electrochemical Reduction.

The first electrochemical approach for nickel-catalyzed cross-electrophile coupling was developed. This method provides a novel route to 1,1-diarylalkane derivatives from simple and readily available alkyl and aryl halides in good yields and excellent regioselectivity under mild conditions. The procedure shows good tolerance for a broad variety of functional groups and both primary and secondary alkyl halides can be used. Furthermore, the reaction was successfully scaled up to the multigram scale, thus indicating potential for industrial application. Mechanistic investigation suggested the formation of a nickel hydride in the electroreductive chain-walking arylation, which led to the development of a new nickel-catalyzed hydroarylation of styrenes to provide a series of 1,1-diaryl alkanes in good yields under mild reaction conditions.

Electrochemical and Scalable Dehydrogenative C(sp3 )-H Amination via Remote Hydrogen Atom Transfer in Batch and Continuous Flow.

A hydrogen atom transfer-directed electrochemical intramolecular C-H amination has been developed in which the N-radical species are generated at the anode, and the base required for the reaction is generated at the cathode. A broad range of valuable pyrrolidines were prepared in good yields and with high chemoselectivity. The reaction was easily scaled up in both batch and continuous flow systems.

Trifluoromethylselenolation of Aryldiazonium Salts: A Mild and Convenient Copper-Catalyzed Procedure for the Introduction of the SeCF3 Group.

The straightforward introduction of the trifluoromethylseleno group into aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds is accomplished by the utilization of readily available aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates, potassium selenocyanate, and Ruppert-Prakash reagent. The reaction tolerates a wide range of aromatic and heteroaromatic diazonium salts and is also amenable to the synthesis of pentafluoroethyl selenoethers. Furthermore, the methodology can be applied directly starting from anilines.

Direct trifluoromethylthiolation of alcohols under mild reaction conditions: conversion of R-OH into R-SCF3.

A direct process for the trifluoromethylthiolation of allylic and benzylic alcohols under mild conditions has been developed. A wide range of free alcohols underwent nucleophilic substitution in the presence of stable CuSCF3 and BF3 ⋅Et2O to give the corresponding products in good to excellent yields.

Hydrotrifluoromethylthiolation of α-diazo esters--synthesis of α-SCF3 substituted esters.

A practical protocol for hydrotrifluoromethylthiolation of diazo compounds has been developed. A range of diazo compounds in combination with a nucleophilic SCF3 source provided access to valuable trifluoromethylthiolated compounds. Furthermore, a methodology for the first double trifluoromethylthiolation was developed.

Direct catalytic trifluoromethylthiolation of boronic acids and alkynes employing electrophilic shelf-stable N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide.

A new and safe method for the synthesis of N-(trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide, a convenient and shelf-stable reagent for the direct trifluoromethylthiolation, has been developed. N-(Trifluoromethylthio)phthalimide can be used as an electrophilic source of F3 CS(+) and reacts readily with boronic acids and alkynes under copper catalysis. The utility of CF3 S-containing molecules as biologically active agents, the mild reaction conditions employed, and the high tolerance of functional groups demonstrate the potential of this new methodology to be widely applied in organic synthesis as well as industrial pharmaceutical and agrochemical research and development.

Copper-catalyzed trifluoromethyl thiolation--mild and efficient synthesis of trifluoromethyl thioethers.

Mild-mannered sulfur: A general method for the synthesis of vinyl trifluoromethyl thioethers starting from readily available di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted vinyl iodides was developed. A wide variety of substrates were applied in the reaction with CuSCF3 to give the corresponding products in high yields, within short reaction times, with retention of the initial E/Z isomer ratio. In addition, a copper-catalyzed trifluoromethyl thioether protocol has been also developed.