Aqueous glycerol was identified as a renewable reaction medium for metalla-electrocatalyzed C-H activation powered by sustainable energy sources. The renewable solvent was employed for cobalt-catalyzed C-H/N-H functionalizations under mild conditions. The cobalta-electrocatalysis manifold occurred with high levels of chemo- and positional selectivity and allowed for electrochemical C-H activations with broad substrate scope. The resource economy of this strategy was considerably substantiated by the direct use of renewable solar and wind energy.
Keywords: C−H activation; biomass; cobalt; electrochemistry; renewable energy; sustainability.
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