Electrochemically driven [4+2] benzannulation: synthesis of polycyclic (hetero)aromatic compounds

Chem Commun (Camb). 2023 Feb 7;59(12):1681-1684. doi: 10.1039/d2cc06552e.

Abstract

A green and economical electrochemical protocol has been developed to synthesize polycyclic (hetero)aromatic compounds by the [4+2] benzannulation of biaryldiazonium salts with alkynes. This protocol features a broad substrate scope. Instead of requiring diazonium reagents, these reactions can begin from anilines and can be carried out in one pot. Moreover, the readily accessible scale-up synthesis achieved by using an electrochemical flow cell demonstrates the synthetic potential of this protocol.