Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Facile Preparation of 2Z,4E-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Recent Advances in the High-Value Conversion of Alkenes Induced by Electrochemistry
Xing'an Liang1, Haolin Wang1, Wei Xie1
1School of Environmental and Food Engineering, Liuzhou Polytechnic University, Liuzhou 545006, China.
Abstract:
Over the past few decades, electrosynthesis has advanced significantly, enabling numerous valuable transformations for synthetic chemists. Olefins are inexpensive, readily available industrial feedstocks extensively used in organic synthesis. Therefore, achieving high-value transformation of olefins is of great value. However, the use of stoichiometric oxidants and the generation of stoichiometric waste hinder its broader application. Utilizing electrochemistry to achieve high-value transformations of olefins represents a green, environmentally friendly, and sustainable strategy, since it eliminates the need for external oxidants. This review discusses recent advances in the high-value conversion of alkenes induced by electrochemistry. The article introduces two modes of electrochemical olefin transformation, discussing both synthetic applications and mechanistic studies. It highlights their advantages and suggests future directions to tackle the existing challenges in this synthetic domain.
Related Concept Videos
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Introduction to Electrophilic Addition Reactions of Alkenes
Addition and elimination...
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Benzene
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
Reduction of Alkynes to trans-Alkenes: Sodium in Liquid Ammonia
When dissolved in liquid ammonia, an alkali metal, such as sodium,...

