Linear Paired Electrolysis—Realising 200 % Current Efficiency for Stoichiometric Transformations—The Electrochemical Bromination of Alkenes

Abstract

The generation of bromine by oxidation of bromide anions at the anode and reduction of molecular oxygen at the cathode to hydrogen peroxide resulted in the overall formation of two molecules of Br2 (=four electron oxidation) by passing just two electrons through the solution. The bromine was used for the bromination of alkenes and thereby a linear paired electrolysis was attained which resulted in current efficencies of up to 200 %. Also, the diiodination of cyclohexene as well as the electrophilic aromatic bromination of an electron-rich arene were realised both in 168 % current efficiencies.