Powering the Future: How Can Electrochemistry Make a Difference in Organic Synthesis?

The full control of redox events is of utmost importance to key aspects of molecular synthesis. As a consequence, chemists have recognized the power of electrochemistry for more than a century to govern electron movements for chemical transformations. Despite numerous benefits associated with electrosynthesis, electrical-current-enabled organic transformations have remained for decades largely dormant in academia and industry. However, organic electrosynthesis has recently experienced a considerable renaissance in terms of implementing electrochemical strategies in the synthetic arsenal. To illustrate this unique potential, we have selected four recent representative examples of contemporary organic electrosynthesis that have attracted major attention toward a toolbox for sustainable synthetic chemists.