Electrochemical Deconstructive Functionalization of Cycloalkanols via Alkoxy Radicals Enabled by Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer

Org Lett. 2022 Jun 3;24(21):3890-3895. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c01552. Epub 2022 May 23.

Abstract

Herein, we report a new electrochemical method for alkoxy radical generation from alcohols using a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) approach, showcased via the deconstructive functionalization of cycloalkanols. The electrochemical method is applicable across a diverse array of substituted cycloalkanols, accessing a broad range of synthetically useful distally functionalized ketones. The orthogonal derivatization of the products has been demonstrated through chemoselective transformations, and the electrochemical process has been performed on a gram scale in continuous single-pass flow.