Progress in electrochemically empowered C-O bond formation: Unveiling the pathway of efficient green synthesis

Chem Asian J. 2024 Apr 7:e202400116. doi: 10.1002/asia.202400116. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

(C-X) bonds (X= C, N, O) are the main backbone for making different skeleton in the organic synthetic transformations. Among all the sustainable techniques, electro-organic synthesis for C-X bond formation is the advanced tool as it offers a greener and more cost-effective approach to chemical reactions by utilizing electrons as reagents. In this review, we want to explore the recent advancements in electrochemical C-O bond formation. The electrochemically driven C-O bond formation represents an emerging and exciting area of research. In this context, electrochemical techniques offers numerous advantages, including higher yields, cost-efficient production, and simplified work-up procedures. This method enables the continuous and consistent formation of C-O bonds in molecules, significantly enhancing overall reaction yields. Furthermore, both intramolecular and intermolecular C-O bond forming reaction provided valuable products of O-containing acyclic/cyclic analogue. Hence, carbonyl (C=O), ether (-O-), and ester (-COOR) functionalization in both cyclic/acyclic analogues have been prepared continuously via this innovative pathway. In this context, we want to discuss one-decade electrochemical synthetic pathways of various C-O bond contains functional group in chronological manner. This review focused on all the synthetic aspects including mechanistic path and has also mentioned overall critical finding regarding the C-O bond formation via electrochemical pathways.

Keywords: Electrochemical Cell, C-O bond, Protocol, Sustainable, Organic Synthesis.