Electrochemical synthesis of 2-alkyl-4-phenylalkan-2-ols via cathodic reductive coupling of alkynes with unactivated aliphatic ketones?

Chemical Communications Pub Date: 2023-02-17 DOI: 10.1039/D2CC06819B

Abstract

Herein, we present an efficient electrochemical method for synthesizing 2-alkyl-4-phenylalkan-2-ols through an electrochemically driven cathodic reductive coupling of the terminal and internal acetylenes with unactivated aliphatic ketones under mild conditions. The process proceeds through a ketyl radical, which then activates the aryl acetylene and causes complete reduction of the triple bond of the acetylene moiety. This strategy is environmentally benign and exhibits a broad substrate scope with ubiquitously available starting materials.

Graphical abstract: Electrochemical synthesis of 2-alkyl-4-phenylalkan-2-ols via cathodic reductive coupling of alkynes with unactivated aliphatic ketones
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