Enhancing electrochemical reactions in organic synthesis: the impact of flow chemistry

The direct utilization of electrons is regarded as offering significant potential for the advancement of organic synthesis by enabling novel reactivity and improving selectivity under mild conditions. Consequently, electrosynthesis is being increasingly explored by organic chemists. However, the efficacy of electrochemical transformations is critically influenced by the design of the electrochemical cell. Batch cells are often limited by large inter-electrode distances and inefficient mass transfer, prompting the consideration of flow cells as a promising alternative. The implementation of flow cells, however, must be supported by a foundational understanding of microreactor technology.

In this review, the applications of flow electrosynthesis are briefly outlined, followed by a comprehensive examination of existing flow reactor technologies. The aim is to provide organic chemists with the necessary insights to enable the tailoring of electrochemical flow cells to meet specific reactivity requirements effectively. Additionally, the use of reactor designs in the scale-up of electrochemical processes and the integration of high-throughput experimentation and automation are highlighted. These advancements are viewed as enhancing the potential of flow electrosynthesis for the synthetic community and are expected to benefit both academic and industrial settings.

• Regnier, M
• Vega, C
• Ioannou, DI
• Noël, T

• Flow Chemistry Group, Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, SciencePark 904, 1098XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

• Request a Brochure
• Request more Info
• Request a Quote