Electrocatalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated acids in a PEM reactor with cinchona-modified palladium catalysts

[Display omitted] •Asymmetric electrocatalytic hydrogenation was carried out in a PEM reactor.•Supporting electrolyte was not required in this reaction system.•The current density was crucial to achieve better results.•CD was found to be the best chiral modifier among all tested cinchona alkaloids. We have developed an electrocatalytic asymmetric hydrogenation reaction using a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) reactor that employs a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and industrial electrolysis technologies. Reasonable enantioselectivities and excellent current efficiencies were obtained in the asymmetric hydrogenation of α-phenylcinnamic acid under mild conditions without adding a supporting electrolyte. The current density was crucial to achieving the improved results observed.