4. Electrocatalyzed transformations

Electrochemical transformations involve directly feeding an electric current (rather than heat) into a chemical reaction. This is achieved by introducing two electrodes into the reaction medium, between which a voltage of the order of a few volts is applied, resulting in a current of between a few milliamperes and a few amperes per cm ² of electrode, depending on the process under consideration. This approach is playing an increasingly important role in the chemical industry landscape, in the more general context of energy transition. Photovoltaics and wind power, two of the renewable energy sources that feature most prominently in so-called "net zero emission" scenarios, enable electricity to be produced in a renewable, low-carbon way.

As a result, it is becoming interesting and relevant to consider the use of this...