106: Sustainable electrochemical glycine production from air using environmentally friendly electrodes and solvents

Abstract: As the impacts of anthropogenic climate change intensify, the need for efficient carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategies is more urgent than ever. One promising approach is the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into value-added commodity chemicals, thereby simultaneously reducing atmospheric CO2 levels and creating sustainable chemical feedstocks. Amino acids such as glycine represent an attractive target for such transformations. They can be synthesized from CO2, serve as fundamental building blocks of proteins, as chiral auxiliaries in asymmetric synthesis, and as key additives in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Global demand for amino acids is immense, with millions of tons produced each year. However, current electrochemical routes to glycine typically rely on solvents such as acetonitrile or dimethylformamide (DMF) due to their high CO2 solubility, despite their environmental and safety drawbacks. Additionally, conventional electrode materials, including lead and mercury, pose serious toxicity concerns. In this work, we explore more sustainable alternatives by developing electrochemical systems that utilize water as a solvent and non-toxic metal electrodes while minimizing energy intensity from purification steps. Guided by insights from previous mechanistic and materials studies, our goal is to establish a more environmentally responsible pathway for CO2-to-glycine conversion, thereby advancing the integration of CCUS strategies within the broader framework of green chemistry.