Electroreductive Cross-Electrophile Coupling (eXEC) Reactions

Abstract

Electrochemistry utilizes electrons as a potent, controllable, and traceless alternative to chemical oxidants or reductants, and typically offers a more sustainable option for achieving selective organic synthesis. Recently, the merger of electrochemistry with readily available electrophiles has been recognized as a viable and increasingly popular methodology for efficiently constructing challenging C-C and C-heteroatom bonds in a sustainable manner for complex organic molecules. In this mini-review, we have systematically summarized the most recent advances in electroreductive cross-electrophile coupling (eXEC) reactions during the last decade. Our focus has been on readily available electrophiles, including aryl and alkyl organic (pseudo)halides, as well as small molecules such as CO₂ , SO₂ , and D₂ O.

Keywords: Alkyl Electrophiles; Aryl Electrophiles; Cross Coupling; Electrochemistry; Electroreduction.