Electrochemical systems and methods using metal halide to form products

A method, comprising:

• contacting an anode with an anode electrolyte wherein the anode electrolyte comprises saltwater and metal halide;
• applying a voltage to the anode and cathode and oxidizing the metal halide from a lower oxidation state to a higher oxidation state at the anode;
• contacting the cathode with a cathode electrolyte;
• and
• halogenating ethylene or ethane with the anode electrolyte comprising the saltwater and the metal halide in the higher oxidation state, in an aqueous medium wherein the aqueous medium comprises more than 5 wt % water to form one or more organic compounds or enantiomers thereof and the metal halide in the lower oxidation state,
• wherein the one or more organic compounds or enantiomers thereof are selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted dioxane, substituted or unsubstituted dioxolane, dichloroethylether, dichloromethyl methyl ether, dichloroethyl methyl ether, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, phosgene, and combinations thereof.