Electrochemistry opens up novel access to important classes of substances

Electrochemistry has undergone a renaissance in recent years and numerous research groups are currently working on the environmentally friendly production or conversion of molecules. However, despite the superiority of electrochemistry, its application to various molecules has been problematic. The electrolysis of highly reactive substances, for example, has so far only led to the formation of high-molecular weight products, i.e., polymers. This method of production was sometimes even used on purpose as in the examples of polythiophene and polyaniline, the latter also being known as aniline black. Chemists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have now succeeded in overcoming the problem of electrochemical polymer formation and in developing a sustainable and efficient synthesis strategy for these important products for the first time.