Trinity of electrochemistry, photochemistry, and transition metal catalysis

In recent years, the combination of electrophotochemistry and transition metal catalysis emerged as a versatile platform for developing challenging and previously unattainable radical-based reactions in a sustainable manner. Electrophotochemistry, which uses renewable energy, enables the generation of high-energy radicals under mild conditions. Meanwhile, transition metal can efficiently capture these active open-shell species for downstream derivatizations. This strategy is also highlighted by its application in enantioselective radical reactions. This perspective discusses the major advances in electrophotochemical transition metal catalysis over the past few years and provides some insights into the mechanisms as well as reaction designs of these reaction systems.