Stirring-Free Scalable Electrosynthesis Enabled by Alternating Current

Alternating current (AC) electrolysis is receiving increased interest as a versatile tool for mild and selective electrochemical transformations. This work demonstrates that AC can enable the concept of a stirring-free electrochemical reactor where the periodic switch of electrode polarity, inherent to AC, provides uniform electrolysis across the whole volume of the reactor. Such design implies a straightforward approach for scaling up electrosynthesis. This was demonstrated on the range of electrochemical transformations performed in three different RVC-packed reactors on up to a 50-mmol scale. Redox-neutral, oxidative, and reductive processes were successfully implemented using the suggested design and the applicable frequency ranges were further investigated for different types of reactions. The advantages of the AC-enabled design – such as the absence of stirring and a maximized surface area of the electrodes – provide the possibility for its universal application both for small-scale screening experimentation and large-scale preparative electrosynthesis without significant optimization needed in between.