Importance of proton-coupled electron transfer in cathodic regeneration of organic hydrides

Electrochemical regeneration of organic hydrides is often hindered by the rapid dimerization of organic radicals produced as the first intermediates of these electrochemical transformations. In this work, we utilize proton-coupled electron transfer to outcompete the undesired dimerization and achieve successful hydride regenerations of two groups of organic hydrides – acridines and benzimidazoles. This work provides an analysis of the critical factors that control the regeneration pathways of organic hydrides.