Oxygen-Controlled Electrocatalysis for Selective Dechlorination of 2-Chloro-5-Trichloromethyl Pyridine on Activated Ag Electrode

Electrochemical selective dechlorination can be regarded as one of the most promising strategies for generating high-valued chemicals. In the electrochemical dechlorination process of 2-chloro-5-trichloromethylpyridine (TCMP), except the anticipated dechlorination products involving 2-chloro-5-dichloromethylpyridine (DCMP), 2-chloro-5-chloromethylpyridine (CCMP), and 2-chloro-5-methylpyridine (CMP), some unexpected oxygen-incorporated products (6-chloronicotinic acid (CNA) and 6-chloronicotinoyl methyl ester (MCN)) can be obtained. Consequently, understanding the electrochemical dechlorination behavior of TCMP is crucial. Our research revealed that the activated Ag electrodes in halide ion solution exhibit enhanced electrochemical activities for electrochemical dechlorination of TCMP, compared with the pure Ag owing to the increased active specific surface areas and charge transfer. Second, oxygen participation in the reaction is a necessary condition for the formation of oxygen-incorporated products. A 100 % selectivity of oxygen-incorporated products can be obtained at the potential of -0.6 V vs Ag/AgCl. Conversely, insufficient oxygen may lead to the potential becoming the determining condition that affects the reaction pathways. A more negative potential (-1.2 V vs Ag/AgCl) is conducive to the formation of dechlorination products with 94.2% conversion and 100% selectivity. This study, for the first time, elucidates the electrocatalyst, atmosphere, and potential-dependent activity and selectivity for the two dechlorination pathways of TCMP.