ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION Microemulsions are clear fluids made from water, oil, and surfactant. They are heterogeneous on the nanometer scale and provide cheaper and less toxic alternatives to organic solvents for mediated (catalytic) electrochemical syntheses. This chapter reviews current understanding of the reaction dynamics and design of mediated electrochemical syntheses in microemulsions. Aspects of mass transport and interfacial dynamics in microemulsions are discussed with respect to their influence in these synthetic processes. Examples of synthetic pathway control using microemulsions are presented. Strategies for design of catalytic films on electrodes for synthesis in microemulsions are discussed. Electrochemical synthesis in microemulsions may be a viable future approach to environmentally friendly, ‘‘green,’’ methods of making fine chemicals.
