Electrocatalytic water-splitting for the controllable and sustainable synthesis of deuterated chemicals.

Tandem water electrolysis for the transformation of universal feedstock to value-added chemicals integrated with hydrogen generation and in situ utilization is a promising approach to address the economic challenges of electrochemical hydrogen evolution and storage. Herein, we present the controllable electrocatalytic deuteration of halides using inexpensive and reusable heavy water (DO) as a D-source for the preparation of valuable D-labelled chemicals and pharmaceuticals under mild conditions. This electrochemical deuteration method with high efficiency and selectivity furnishes a series of D-labelled chemicals and pharmaceuticals in high yields with excellent D-incorporation. The reaction efficiency and selectivity, that is, the precise substitution of deuterium atoms at different halogen positions, can be tuned by varying the applied voltages. The results show the great potential of green and economical electrocatalytic methods for producing value-added fine chemicals in addition to hydrogen evolution.