Electrocatalytic Transformations of C2 and C3 Hydrocarbons: Bridging from the Past to the Future

Abstract

The recent abundance of ethane and propane feedstock and the simultaneous increase in electricity originating from wind and solar power present a transformative opportunity to decarbonize chemical manufacturing through the electrocatalytic production of essential chemicals. Achieving this goal will require significant improvements in fundamental understanding of electrocatalytic reactions of C₂ and C₃ hydrocarbons, which have only seen a resurgence in published studies over the past few years. In this Perspective, we aim to connect knowledge from a collection of such studies from the 1960s and 1970s to the most recent works today in order to accelerate electrocatalytic development for these molecular transformations. Reactions of saturated and unsaturated molecules are each analyzed in the context of (i) mechanisms, (ii) kinetics and catalyst composition, and (iii) electrolyte effects to highlight important considerations to improve activity and selectivity for each case. We hope readers find our bridge from the past to the present intriguing and of practical use in the pursuit of decarbonized chemical manufacturing.