Exohedrally functionalized carbon-based networks as catalysts for electrochemical syntheses

Abstract

Electrochemical synthesis represents a powerful tool for the sustainable production of useful chemicals under mild operational conditions. Several metal-decorated and metal-free carbon-based samples have successfully been exploited as effective catalysts in challenging electrochemical transformations. However, their complex chemical composition along with an often-elusive nature of the active sites engaged in the process, pose serious limits to the optimization of the catalysts performance through the adoption of more rational and targeted synthetic paths. On this regard, the exohedral surface functionalization of carbon materials with tailored “active groups” offers a unique way to shed light on the complex mechanism of action of single-metal-based or metal-free electrocatalysts. It can also provide a unique tool to the comprehension of the underlying reaction mechanism in challenging electrocatalytic transformations. • Electrochemistry enables the synthesis of useful chemicals under mild conditions. • Carbon-based materials represent efficient heterogeneous electrocatalysts. • Exohedral functionalization allows a fine control of surface properties. • Tailored synthetic paths allow to shed light on structurereactivity relationships.