Electrosynthesis

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Electrochemistry – Escaping Stoichiometric Redox Reagents

by Jonathan Kennedy-Ellis

Redox chemistry is ubiquitous throughout organic chemistry since control of the oxidation state of carbon and heteroatom within chemical structures is vital to the construction of both simple and complex organic compounds. Aside from elegant reactions where the oxidant or reductant are directly incorporated into the final product, reactions often require stoichiometric amounts of external oxidant and reductant, reducing the atom economy, increasing the cost, and the environmental impact of the process. While there are proposed solutions utilizing molecular oxygen as a “green” oxidant, this introduces new concerns such as the safety of oxygenated environments and organic solvents, or the stability of intermediates in oxygen.1,2  Currently there aren’t similarly low environmental impact reducing agents available.

Electrochemistry offers the potential to eliminate both stoichiometric chemical oxidant or reductant. By utilizing electrons directly as the oxidant or reductant, we can perform these reactions in an easily controlled manner, potentially offering fewer side-reactions.

 

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Unlocking New Potential using Photoelectrochemistry in Organic Synthesis

by Michael Clark

Introduction

Photocatalysis and electrochemistry have long been useful tools in organic synthesis. These techniques allow for transformations under mild conditions without the use of stoichiometric reagents; however, by combining these two well-studied techniques it is possible to uncover previously inaccessible reactions. By using a photocatalyst to perform chemical transformations followed by the electrochemical regeneration of the catalyst, the need for strong chemical oxidants or reductants is removed, along with the possibility for unwanted electrochemical reactions due to the relatively low potential required.1 Some of these reactions have even been demonstrated in a flow-cell capacity, enabling the ability for potential scale-up to industrial production. Limitations currently exist in these chemical processes like the use of organic solvents that make it difficult to scale. However, companies such as the Electrosynthesis Company are uniquely positioned to help bridge that gap thanks to a deep understanding of both research lab, and industrial plant processes.

Below are a series of recent reports on the use of photoelectrochemistry in organic synthesis that demonstrate the combined use of photocatalysts with electrochemistry to perform previously difficult reactions, as well as issues that must be overcome before these techniques could be implemented for large-scale use.

Full Article: Unlocking New Potential using Photoelectrochemistry in Organic Synthesis

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Exploring the Reach of Organic Electrochemistry

by Jonathan Kennedy-Ellis

Organic electrochemistry continues to enjoy a renaissance as more groups investigate its ability to perform selective transformations without the use of stoichiometric chemical oxidants, metal catalysts, or high energy precursors. Since our previous review by Matthew Hartle, research groups have prevailed to further expand the organic electrochemistry toolkit.1 Furthermore, there has been renewed interest by major industry players who see electrochemistry’s potential to use renewable electricity sources as an increasingly more economical pathway to essential products. The gap between academia and industry continues as while new processes develop in lab-based environments, they often scale poorly due to low current densities, faradic efficiencies, and the use of hazardous solvents. Companies such as the Electrosynthesis Company are uniquely positioned to help bridge that gap thanks to their deep understanding of both research lab, and industrial plant processes.

Full Article: Exploring the Reach of Organic Electrochemistry

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Organic electrosynthesis amps up the potential for synthetic innovation, while technological advances decrease the resistance for entry into this electrifying field

By Matthew Hartle, Ph.D.

Abstract

Organic electrochemistry is an area that is receiving more attention as chemists face pressures to synthesize more complex molecular targets in a more efficient fashion. The pressure comes from many corners including a desire to develop processes that are greener and more sustainable while producing significantly fewer toxic wastes and a reduction in manufacturing costs. It helps that many electrochemical processes are safer to operate and can be inherently linked to renewable energies. While innovations in beaker-scale electrolysis1 have opened the field to the typical organic bench chemist, a technology gap exists for scaling the reactions to the production level.2 Here we review several recent organic transformations that could either scale to larger flow-cell type systems or require further optimization in parallel with scale-up, as examples where the technology gap could be bridged. The Electrosynthesis Company is well-positioned to bridge the gap that exists between the bench and commercialization.

Read Full Article Here:  Electro-organic Synthesis

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Redox Flow Batteries

Why Grid Scale Energy Storage

by Che-Nan (Josh ) Sun 

An Electrical grid equipped with energy storage system allows companies to manage and deploy the electrical energy in a much more efficient and flexible way. Key features such as peak shaving, frequency regulation and time shifting can be realized via such systems to enhance power quality and reliability. Moreover, a grid-scale energy storage system is able to serve as a buffer between the electric grid and an ever increasing demand for renewable energy generation such as solar and wind. These systems  smooth out the climate-dependent intermittency and allow the harvested energy to be distributed as needed. It has long been a global desire to increase renewable energy penetration in order to reduce the electricity sector’s carbon footprint as well as the fossil fuel consumption.

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