Electrocatalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated acids in a PEM reactor with cinchona-modified palladium catalysts

We have developed an electrocatalytic asymmetric hydrogenation reaction using a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) reactor that employs a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and industrial electrolysis technologies. Reasonable enantioselectivities and excellent current efficiencies were obtained in the asymmetric hydrogenation of alpha-phenylcinnamic acid under mild conditions without adding a supporting electrolyte. The current density was crucial to achieving the improved results observed.