While multiple bond metathesis reactions, for example olefin metathesis, have seen considerable recent progress, direct metathesis of traditionally inert C−O single bonds is extremely rare and particularly challenging. Undoubtedly, metathesis reaction of C−O bonds is one of the most ideal routes for the value‐added upgrading of molecules involving C−O bonds. Reported here is a new protocol to achieve the formal C−O/O−H cross‐metathesis via alternating current electrolysis. Featuring mild reaction conditions, the protocol allows readily available 4‐alkoxy anilines and alcohols to be converted into a wide range of valuable products in highly regioselective and chemoselective manner. Moreover, the present strategy can be used in the late‐stage modification of pharmaceuticals as well as biologically active compounds, which demonstrated the potential application.

Alternating current (AC) electrolysis is a promising, yet challenging, and under-developed protocol in organic synthesis. To achieve as high atom-efficiency as possible and avoid the use of external oxidant, the electrochemistry has become a standard organic synthesis tool. Herein, AC-based protocol is a superior option than its counterpart (DC: direct current), especially for those reactions that cannot be accomplished by DC.With an aim to achieve this objective, we have employed the AC electrolysis successfully to deliver the unprecedented cross-coupling of sulfonyl or acyl substituted aniline derivatives with thiophenols/thiols under exogenous-oxidant-and catalyst-free conditions. Numerous N-S bonds containing compounds (Total 40 number) have been prepared in up to 93% yield and good selectivity. Interestingly, no reactivity has been noted using DC electrolysis or traditional chemical approaches under our reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies indicated that disulfide is the key intermediate in this alternating current mediated radical-radical crosscoupling reaction. Therefore, the current work does not only provide an efficient method for N-S bonds formation, but also pave new sustainable avenues to innovation in organic synthesis.

No abstract

The development of efficient and sustainable C-N bond-forming reactions to N-heterocyclic frameworks has been a long-standing interest in organic synthesis. In this work, we develop an electrochemical radical Csp2-H/N-H cyclization...

While multiple bond metathesis reactions, for example olefin metathesis, have seen considerable recent progress, direct metathesis of traditionally inert C−O single bonds is extremely rare and particularly challenging. Undoubtedly, metathesis reaction of C−O bonds is one of the most ideal routes for the value‐added upgrading of molecules involving C−O bonds. Reported here is a new protocol to achieve the formal C−O/O−H cross‐metathesis via alternating current electrolysis. Featuring mild reaction conditions, the protocol allows readily available 4‐alkoxy anilines and alcohols to be converted into a wide range of valuable products in highly regioselective and chemoselective manner. Moreover, the present strategy can be used in the late‐stage modification of pharmaceuticals as well as biologically active compounds, which demonstrated the potential application.