Indirect Electroorganic Syntheses—A Modern Chapter of Organic Electrochemistry [New Synthetic Methods (59)]

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Abstract
The electrochemical formation and regeneration of redox agents for organic syntheses (indirect electrolysis) widens the potential of electrochemistry, as higher or totally different selectivities can often be obtained while at the same time the energy input can be lowered significantly. Higher current densities can also be obtained by preventing otherwise often encountered electrode inhibition. New types of redox catalysts can be formed in‐situ and can be regenerated after reaction with the substrates. This principle is of increasing importance also for the application of already known redox agents with regard to environmental protection, since large amounts of a product can be generated in a closed circuit using only relatively small amounts of the redox reagent. Consequently the operation of such a process can be greatly simplified, and the release of ecologically objectionable spent reagents into the environment can be prevented. The broad spectrum of redox catalysts currently in use includes, inter alia, metal salts in very low or high oxidation states, halogens in various oxidation states, and, in particular, a wide variety of transition‐metal complexes. A great deal of progress has recently been made in the application of organic electron transfer agents, since compounds have been found that are sufficiently stable in both the reduced as well as the oxidized state.