The Mn-catalyzed paired electrochemical facile oxychlorination of styrenes via the oxygen reduction reaction.

Reported herein is the electrochemical engendering of chlorine radicals by a manganese catalyst with a controllable pattern, and inexpensive MgCl2 as the chlorine source. In combination with the oxygen reduction reaction, chloroacetophenones were synthesized with abundant styrene as the feedstock in good to excellent yields.