The method of direct electrochemical synthesis consists of oxidizing a metal anode in a non-aqueous solution containing a ligand (or ligand precursor) to produce the appropriate inorganic or organometallic compound. In many cases, the product precipitates directly in the cell, making for easy isolation, so that the technique is both direct and simple, and in addition the product yields are very high. One advantage of the technique is that the products are often derivatives of a low oxidation state of the metal; \examples of this include chromium(III) bromide, tin(II) and lead(II) diolates and thiolates, hexahalogenodigallate(II) anions, thorium diiodide, copper(I) thiolate complexes, and indium(I) derivatives of thiols, dithiols, and diols. In some systems, the low oxidation state compound undergoes subsequent reaction; for example, in the synthesis of RInX2 the reaction sequence involves the oxidation of indium metal to give InX, which then reacts with RX to give RInX2. Another possible post-electrolysis process is disproportionation. Examples of these various preparative routes will be discussed.