Electrocatalytic Amino Acid Synthesis: Reductive C–N Coupling of Oxalic or Keto Acid with Inorganic Nitrogenous Molecules
Nilmadhab Mukherjee, Uttam Kumar Ghorai
Abstract
“When nothingness was not,” life on Earth likely began due to the presence of amino acids, just as, in every reaction, oxidation shimmered and reduction answered. Synthesis of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins and, hence, essential molecules for life, is a journey that commenced prior to the origin of life. Following abiotic and biosynthesis, the electrochemical avenue for amino acid synthesis has recently added an influential dimension to this journey for research. This review explores the electrochemical synthesis of amino acids utilizing oxalic acid from carbon dioxide and keto acids as C-source and inorganic nitrogenous molecules as N-source. Here, we discuss different catalysts for amino acid synthesis, along with the detection and quantification protocol of products. Next, we reviewed mechanisms for C–N cross-coupling condensation from different sources. Finally, we summarized the consumption projection cost for electrochemical amino acid synthesis, emphasizing the potential of this eco-friendly approach for large-scale production to meet the growing global demand for amino acids across various sectors. This review aims to influence the advancement in the conversion of hazardous environmental pollutants like carbon dioxide from industries and inorganic nitrogenous molecules in water bodies into value-added products to make a pollution-less world for generations to come.