Mechanistic aspects of aldehyde and imine electro-reduction in a liquid–liquid carbon nanofiber membrane microreactor

A simple and electrolyte-free ion-transfer electrosynthesis micro-reactor system (volume 100 μL, up to 10 mg batches) for processes at liquid–liquid interfaces is developed and demonstrated for the reduction of aldehydes and imines. These cathodic reactions occur at an amphiphilic carbon nanofiber membrane accompanied by proton cation transfer from an aqueous phase into an organic phase.