Electrochemistry and Photoredox Catalysis: A Comparative Evaluation in Organic Synthesis

Abstract

This review provides an overview of synthetic transformations that have been performed by both electro- and photoredox catalysis. Both toolboxes are evaluated and compared in their ability to enable said transformations. Analogies and distinctions are formulated to obtain a better understanding in both research areas. This knowledge can be used to conceptualize new methodological strategies for either of both approaches starting from the other. It was attempted to extract key components that can be used as guidelines to refine, complement and innovate these two disciplines of organic synthesis.

Keywords

• electrosynthesis
• electrocatalysis
• photocatalysis
• photochemistry
• electron transfer
• redox catalysis
• radical chemistry
• organic synthesis
• green chemistry