Electrohalogenation of organic compounds.

Herein, we present an overview of recent advances in the electrochemical halogenation of organic compounds. Halogen-containing compounds are essential building blocks for post-functionalization in academic research and in different industrial sectors, notably pharmaceutical companies. One of the main advantages of using electrosynthesis is its environmentally-friendly characteristics. In the field of green chemistry there have been many scientific findings and inventions over the past two decades, that is, since the 12 principles were first published. Electrosynthesis is recognized as a methodology that can fulfill different criteria of the green chemistry concept and constitutes a promising tool in the development of new procedures in organic synthesis. In this review we target sp, sp2 and sp3 carbon fluorination, chlorination, bromination and iodination reactions using electrolysis as a redox medium. Mechanistic insights and substrate reactivity are also discussed.