Molecular Processes That Control Organic Electrosynthesis in Near-Electrode Microenvironments

Electrosynthesis at an industrial scale offers an opportunity to use renewable electricity in chemical manufacturing, accelerating the decarbonization of large-scale chemical processes. Organic electrosynthesis can improve product selectivity, reduce reaction steps, and minimize waste byproducts. Electrochemical synthesis of adiponitrile (ADN) via hydrodimerization of acrylonitrile (AN) is a prominent example of industrial organic electrochemical processes, with annual production reaching 0.3 MMT. It circumvents the drawbacks of thermochemical synthesis by reducing toxicity and leveraging clean electricity as an energy source. Despite its industrial importance, mechanistic understanding and experimental insights on the near-electrode molecular processes of AN electrohydrodimerization remain insufficient. Here we show, using in situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, that tetraalkylammonium ions populate the electrical double layer (EDL), creating a microenvironment that favors interactions with organic molecules and enhances AN concentration while expelling water molecules. Our results provide experimental evidence supporting long-standing mechanistic hypotheses. Kinetic isotope effect studies reveal that propionitrile (PN) formation is rate-limited by proton transfer, while ADN formation likely is not. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirms the presence of free radicals during AN electroreduction, suggesting that coupling of PN radicals occurs primarily in the electrolyte. These insights highlight the importance of carefully controlling the EDL composition for selective organic electrosynthesis and provide fundamental engineering guidance for designing high-performing electro-organic reactions. We anticipate these findings will guide the optimization of electrolyte formulations and electrode interfaces for ADN synthesis and other emerging electro-organic processes.