Bromine-Mediated Electrochemical Cascade Valorization of Styrene

Styrene is a widely used industrial feedstock, yet its selective oxidation under mild conditions remains challenging. Direct electrochemical oxidation typically suffers from high overpotentials and unavoidable product overoxidation. Herein, we present a bromine-mediated electrochemical cascade strategy for the valorization of styrene into multiple high-value products under much lower working potentials. In this hybrid approach, styrene is first converted to a bromine-containing intermediate via a bromine-mediated oxidation catalyzed by ultrasmall Co3O4 nanoparticles in mixed water–organic media. This intermediate is then sequentially transformed through a cascade into styrene oxide, styrene glycol, and styrene carbonate via carefully tuned reaction conditions. Our strategy enables controlled oxidation, high selectivity, and efficient production of multiple valuable oxygenated derivatives, demonstrating the broader potential of halogen-assisted electrochemistry as a versatile route for sustainable fine chemical synthesis.