Electrosynthesis of coordination compounds by the dissolution of metal anodes using ligand precursors

Abstract

Electrosynthesis of complex compounds by the dissolution of metal anodes is an established method for the preparation of a wide variety of compounds in different oxidation states in a single step. The electrolyte is an aqueous, nonaqueous or mixed solvent containing the ligand. During electrolysis the anode goes into solution and forms a complex with the ligand. The latter may also be generated in the electrolytic phase by a chemical reaction or by the cathodic reduction of the ligand precursor. A variety of thiolato, xanthato, dithiocarbamato, amine and Schiff base complexes have been synthesized using appropriate ligand precursors. Compounds obtained by anodic dissolution are in normal or lower oxidation states of the metals. The method has been utilized to synthesize some compounds of In(I), Ga(II), Th(II), Mo(II), Cr(II), Ti(III) etc. in a single step. Attempts have been made to synthesize higher valent compounds by the anodic oxidation of the initial product by a second stage electrolysis using a platinum anode.