Wireless Electrochemical Reactor for Accelerated Exploratory Study of Electroorganic Synthesis

Abstract

Electrosynthesis is an emerging tool to construct value-added fine chemicals under mild and sustainable conditions. However, the complex apparatus required impedes the facile development of new electrochemistry in the laboratory. Herein, we proposed and demonstrated the concept of wireless electrochemistry (Wi-eChem) based on wireless power transfer technology. The core of this concept is the dual-function wireless electrochemical magnetic stirrer that provides an electrolysis driving force and mixing simultaneously in a miniaturized form factor. This Wi-eChem system allowed electrochemists to execute electrochemical reactions in a manner similar to traditional organic chemistry without handling wire connections. The controllability, reusability, and versatility were validated with a series of modern electrosynthesis reactions, including electrodecarboxylative etherification, electroreductive olefin-ketone coupling, and electrochemical nickel-catalyzed oxygen atom transfer reaction. Its remarkably simplified operation enabled its facile integration into a fully automated robotic synthesis platform to achieve autonomous parallel electrosynthesis screening.