Electrochemical Approach to Organonitrogen Compounds via C-N Coupling

The C-N bond is a cornerstone in the structures of many essential compounds, including amino acids, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and natural products. Traditional methods for C-N coupling often rely on noble-metal-based catalysts and harsh reaction conditions, which limit their sustainability. In contrast, electrocatalytic C-N coupling has emerged as a more environmentally friendly alternative, offering mild reaction conditions, high selectivity, and compatibility with renewable energy integration. This review provides an overview of recent advances in the field of organonitrogen electrosynthesis, focusing on various nitrogen and carbon sources, their activation mechanisms, and the impact of key parameters such as applied potentials, pH values, and electrolyte composition. Various catalyst design strategies and electrochemical characterization techniques are also discussed. In addition, it examines different electrochemical cell configurations. Furthermore, this review highlights the electrosynthesis of key organonitrogen products such as urea, oximes, amino acids, amides, and amines, while discussing the current challenges and outlining future opportunities for advancing sustainable C-N bond formation.