Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
In electrolytic reactions, electrodes are
electroconductive interfaces where electrons are
transferred to and from substrates, as well as
acting as the catalyst (electrocatalyst), therefore
a costly catalyst is not necessary. Furthermore,
the applied potential and current for the
electrochemical reaction can be inexpensively
and precisely controlled. Thus, organic
electrosyntheses have many technical
advantages over ordinary organic synthetic
processes.
However, organic electrosynthesis also has
some disadvantages. Ordinary chemical
reactions are homogeneous, while the reaction
field of electrolysis is a heterogeneous interface,
therefore electrosynthesis has a productive
drawback. Moreover, quite differently from
inorganic electrode processes like salt
electrolysis, in organic electrosynthesis the
working electrode providing products is usually
either the anode or the cathode. The counter
electrode is usually not used for the formation
of valuable products except for the paired
synthesis developed by BASF, as explained
below. Although the main role of the counter
electrode is for current flow to the working
electrode, the maintenance of the electrode is
necessary, resulting in an increase in running
cost. When the cathode is a working electrode,
the lifetime of the anode as a counter electrode
becomes a barrier to industrialization. In
general, the anode is readily corrosive and
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