Understanding the Performance of a Microfluidic Electrolysis Cell for Routine Organic Electrosynthesis

In order for microflow electrolysis cells to make their full contribution to routine laboratory organic synthesis, they must be capable of carrying out reactions with good selectivity and high conversion at a high rate of conversion. In addition to appropriate choice of the electrolysis medium and control of the overall cell chemistry, both the design of the electrolysis cell (including materials of construction) and the correct selection of the cell current and flow rate of the solution are critical in determining performance. The conclusions are tested using the methoxylation of N-formylpyrrolidine as the test reaction in a microflow electrolysis cell with a single, long, patterned flow channel.