A New Approach to Stereoselective Electrocatalytic Semihydrogenation of Alkynes to Z‑Alkenes using a Proton-Exchange Membrane Reactor

The electrocatalytic hydrogenation of alkynes was performed in a proton-exchange membrane reactor. Product selectivity for the hydrogenation could be controlled by the catalyst material and the cathode potential. The use of a Pd catalyst gave Z-alkenes selectively with excellent current efficiencies at relatively low electrolysis potentials. The present system can provide hydrogenated products without hydrogen gas, which is safe and compact compared to conventional hydrogenation systems.