1,3-Butadiene formation through selective acetylene electrolysis on partially oxidized copper

Conventional thermocatalytic routes to 1,3-butadiene are energy intensive. Now, a method for the selective electroreduction of acetylene to 1,3-butadiene under ambient conditions is demonstrated. Use of an iodide-containing electrolyte stabilizes partially oxidized copper sites on the catalyst, facilitating the synthesis of 1,3-butadiene with a Faradaic efficiency of up to 93%.