Selective electrochemical oxidation of alkene: Recent progress and perspectives

Alkene oxidation is an important industrial process that produces considerable quantities of commodity chemicals, notably ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. However, typical thermal oxidation processes are characterized by harsh reaction conditions and limited selectivity. Thus, electrochemical alternatives with enhanced product selectivity emerge as promising solutions with the possibility of using renewable input energy sources. Herein, we discuss strategies to improve the selectivity of alkene electrooxidation, specifically focusing on the regulation of the geometric and electronic structures of electrocatalysts, as well as the application of mediated indirect oxidation. Furthermore, we also provide an overview of the current challenges and problems requiring further investigation in improving industrial feasibility of electrochemical alkene oxidation.