Work

Donor number determined solvent‐mediated electron transfer for electrocarboxylation of C–Br bonds with carbon dioxide

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The electrochemical conversion of organic bromides with carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to valuable carboxylic acids is highly desirable in chemical industries. Researches mainly focused on catalysts, with little attention to the equally important solvents. The donor number (DN) characterizes a solvent's tendency to donate electrons and is closely associated with electron transfer. However, few research studies can reveal its impact on electrocarboxylation reactions. As a step toward more rational solvent selection, this work investigates how DNs impact such reactions. For the model benzyl bromide substrate, optimal performance was achieved at medium DNs, with doubled yields compared to either high‐DN or low‐DN solvents. A quantitative relationship based on DNs was shown to correlate strongly with carboxylation yields. Electrochemical characterization elucidated that medium‐DN solvents determine the dynamic solvation layer construction, enhancing solvent‐mediated electron transfer efficiency. The strategy was further extended to other organic bromides, demonstrating broad applicability for C–Br bond carboxylation with CO 2 .

Source: AIChE Journal

DOI: 10.1002/aic.70701

Authors: Zongying Li, Chunqi Yang, Junjun Mao, Yuhang Li, Chunzhong Li

Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, East China University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis

Subfield: Process Chemistry and Technology

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities