CV-driven Optimization: Cobalt-Catalyzed Electrochemical Expedient Oxychlorination of Alkenes via ORR

Instead of screening reaction conditions by yield-based chemical trial-and-error, potential-based cyclic voltammetry was alternatively employed for optimization of electrochemical oxychlorination of alkenes. With this unconventional screening method, the catalyst system including catalysts, molar ratio of chloride sources and solvents were identified in a rational, time- and energy-efficient manner. The optimal catalytic system in combination with oxygen reduction reaction enabled broad substrate scopes for the desired transformation by taking advantages of persistent radical effect. UV-vis and CV titration experiments confirmed the in-situ formed catalytic species [CoCl5]. Moreover, cyclic voltammetry was applied to obtain mechanistic insights in our reaction system.