Electrocarboxylation: towards sustainable and efficient synthesis of valuable carboxylic acids.
The near-unlimited availability of CO2 has stimulated a growing research effort in creating value-added products from this greenhouse gas. This paper presents the trends on the most important methods used in the electrochemical synthesis of carboxylic acids from carbon dioxide. An overview is given of different substrate groups which form carboxylic acids upon CO2 fixation, including mechanistic considerations. While most work focuses on the electrocarboxylation of substrates with sacrificial anodes, this review considers the possibilities and challenges of implementing other synthetic methodologies. In view of potential industrial application, the choice of reactor setup, electrode type and reaction pathway has a large influence on the sustainability and efficiency of the process.
Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, KU Leuven, Arenbergpark 23, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Roman
R
Matthessen
Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Arenbergpark 44, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Jan
J
Fransaer
Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Koen
K
Binnemans
Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, KU Leuven, Arenbergpark 23, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium.
Dirk E
DE
De Vos
carbon dioxide; carboxylic acids; counter electrode reaction; electrocarboxylation mechanism; reactor setup