Solid electrodes modified by Ni–Pd thin layers: Highly efficient and low cost cathodic materials for achieving bond scissions in non-aqueous media

A simple mode of palladization of nickel is described. The obtaining of Ni–Pd surfaces (by means of a rapid redox displacement of Ni0 by Pd2+) permits the electro-catalytic scission of carbon–halogen linkages in non-aqueous media. This palladized material (presumably an alloy) is found to be quite stable. It affords the cleavage of organic halides (alkyl iodides and bromides, benzylic and aromatic halides) with an important energy gain if compared to reduction potentials already reported at more conventional electrodes such as glassy carbon (GC). This preliminary work focuses on a new class of solid electrodes of modified substrates (like glassy carbon, nickel, platinum, palladium, copper or gold) by a very thin layer (a few tens nm) of Ni–Pd. Presumably, the catalytic effect could be based on the synergetic action of Ni and Pd both involved in their oxidative insertion in the C–X bonds.