Oxidative coupling

Abstract

For the synthesis of organic molecules, two types of reaction are used: carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions and functional group interconversions. The former assembles larger molecules from smaller units; the latter introduces functional groups into a molecule or converts functional groups that are present in the molecule. The large number of carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions can be summarized in four groups: Polar reactions between an activated acceptor and a donor or vice versa Radical coupling and addition reactions Pericyclic reactions, especially cycloadditions Transition metal catalyzed and organocatalyzed reactions Electrochemistry can contribute to these synthetic transformations, especially to polar reactions, to radical reactions, and partially to cycloadditions. The reactive intermediates being involved, namely, radical ions, cations, and radicals, can be generated at the electrode simply, in large variety, cheap, and with reduced production of waste. There are several books and reviews that deal with the topic: organic electrosynthesis [1]. It should be added that organic electrosynthesis is in good accord with many rules of green chemistry [2]. The selectivity in organic electrosynthesis has been improved in the last decade by new developments in flow cells, microreactors, and reaction conditions (see Chapters 7 through 9) [1b,3].