ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes that the first applications of leaded bronze in electrolyses indicate that this material offers a promising alternative for lead cathodes in electroorganic synthesis, which prevents contamination of products with lead. In many applications, anodic as well as cathodic, boron-doped diamond (BDD) turned out as a superior electrode material. In the reduction of nitroarenes, BDD cathodes seem to be a superior material and can be used for the direct synthesis of nitrones. A common strategy for the synthesis of amines is the reduction of the corresponding oximes. Conventionally, this reduction is carried out under Bouveault-Blanc-type reaction conditions with alkali metals in the presence of a proton source. However, this kind of reduction can also be carried out using electrochemical methods. This is beneficial in terms of safety aspects since large amounts of alkali metals can be circumvented. Finally, the stability, selectivity, and yield can be increased in comparison to lead as cathode material.
