Translating batch electrochemistry to single-pass continuous flow conditions: an organic chemist's guide.

Maljuric, Snjezana; Jud, Wolfgang; Kappe, C. Oliver; Cantillo, David

The recent renaissance of electrochemical methods for organic synthesis has also attracted increased interest towards flow electrochemistry as the most suitable scale-up strategy. Many electrochemical methods using flow cells are based on recirculation of the electrolyte solution. However, single-pass processing is very attractive as it permits integration of the electrochemical reaction with other synthetic or purification steps in a continuous stream. Translation of batch electrochemical procedures to single-pass continuous flow cells can be challenging to beginners in the field. Using the electrochemical methoxylation of 4-methylanisole as model, this paper provides newcomers to the field with an overview of the factors that need to be considered to develop a flow electrochemical process, including advantages and disadvantages of operating in galvanostatic and potentiostatic mode in small scale reactions, and the effect of the interelectrode gap, supporting electrolyte concentration and pressure on the reaction performance. A comparison of the reaction efficiency in batch and flow is also presented.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY; CHEMISTS; CONTINUOUS flow reactors; ELECTROLYTE solutions; ORGANIC synthesis; ORGANIC electrochemistry; ELECTROCHEMICAL sensors

Journal of Flow Chemistry, 2020, Vol 10, Issue 1, p181

2062-249X

Academic Journal

10.1007/s41981-019-00050-z