Electrochemical strategies for C-H functionalization and C-N bond formation

Conventional methods for carrying out carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation are typically conducted at elevated temperatures, and rely on expensive catalysts as well as the use of stoichiometric, and perhaps toxic, oxidants. In this regard, electrochemical synthesis has recently been recognized as a sustainable and scalable strategy for the construction of challenging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Here, electrosynthesis has proven to be an environmentally benign, highly effective and versatile platform for achieving a wide range of nonclassical bond disconnections via generation of radical intermediates under mild reaction conditions. This review provides an overview on the use of anodic electrochemical methods for expediting the development of carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation strategies. Emphasis is placed on methodology development and mechanistic insight and aims to provide inspiration for future synthetic applications in the field of electrosynthesis.

Electrochemically Induced Michael Addition Reaction: An Overview

Due to its high potential for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds, Michael addition reaction is one of the closest reactions to the heart of synthetic organic chemists. Electrochemistry presents a very stimulating and divergent resource for selective oxidation and reduction in organic chemistry, generating activated species, for example radical anions or radical cations. In this review, we try to underscore usefulness of electrogenerated Michael addition reaction with the hope of encouraging synthetic organic chemists to contemplate it, as an efficient and green strategy when it is required in their designed multi-step reaction pathways.