Electrifying synthesis of organosilicon compounds – from electrosynthesis to electrocatalysis

Abstract

Occasionally, a synthetic strategy is developed that seems to be a game changer. Not long ago, mechanochemistry or ionic liquids were intensively explored to afford organosilicon compounds. These and other approaches still offer benefits and influence the development of this field. Electrochemistry is currently a new synthetic strategy. Despite its long history, electrosynthesis or electrocatalysis have not become routine procedures in the synthesis of organosilicons. One may justifiably ask why. Accessibility and reproducibility are one of the challenges of electrochemical approaches. However, recent developments in the field of electrified organic synthesis have provided new insights and allowed electrochemistry to become an approachable tool. In this perspective article, several notable contributions to the electrochemical synthesis of organosilicon compounds are highlighted.