Regio- and Stereoselective Electrochemical Alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts

Org Lett. 2022 Jun 24;24(24):4354-4359. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c01529. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Abstract

Electrosynthesis is effectively employed in a general regio- and stereoselective alkylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman compounds. The exposition of N-acyloxyphthalimides (redox-active esters) to galvanostatic electroreductive conditions, following the sacrificial-anode strategy, is proved an efficient and practical method to access densely functionalized cinnamate and oxindole derivatives. High yields (up to 80%) and wide functional group tolerance characterized the methodology. A tentative mechanistic sketch is proposed based on dedicated control experiments.