Recent advances in the electrochemical hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons

Electrochemical hydrogenation of unsaturated organic com-pounds is emerging as a very promising alternative to the conventional transition-metal-catalyzed transformation as it avoids the preparation, transportation, and storage of pres-sured molecule hydrogen (H-2). Besides the direct usage of the on-site-generated H-2 on the cathode surface, the electrochemical means also provide opportunities for novel hydrogenation reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons, especially electrochemical Birch reduction. Another attractive aspect of such an approach is the possibility of highly selective deuteration of unsaturated hydrocarbons with the readily available, cost-effective deuterium source, D2O.

Automated summary

Electrochemical hydrogenation of unsaturated organic compounds is a promising alternative to conventional transition-metal-catalyzed methods, as it avoids the preparation, transportation, and storage of pressured molecule hydrogen. This method also allows for novel hydrogenation reactions of unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as electrochemical Birch reduction, and highly selective deuteration with cost-effective deuterium sources.