Resource Economy by Metallaelectrocatalysis: Merging Electrochemistry and C[sbnd]H Activation

Abstract

Oxidative C H activation has emerged as an increasingly powerful tool in molecular syntheses. Despite major progress towards atom and step economy, these transformations largely rely on precious metal catalysts and stoichiometric amounts of toxic metal oxidants, compromising the overall sustainability of the C H activation strategy. In contrast, employing electrooxidation in lieu of reactive chemical oxidants prevents undesired waste formation through oxidant economy and offers efficient use of renewable energies from sustainable sources for chemical bond formation. Likewise, inexpensive Earth-abundant 3d metal electrocatalysts set the stage for molecular syntheses at a unique level of resource economy. Herein, we summarize the key concepts and most recent developments in metallaelectrocatalytic C H activation, with a topical focus on recent sustainable base metals.