Plasma Electrochemistry for Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation via Pinacol Coupling

J Am Chem Soc. 2023 May 17;145(19):10470-10474. doi: 10.1021/jacs.3c01779. Epub 2023 May 5.

Abstract

The formation of carbon-carbon bonds by pinacol coupling of aldehydes and ketones requires a large negative reduction potential, often realized with a stoichiometric reducing reagent. Here, we use solvated electrons generated via a plasma-liquid process. Parametric studies with methyl-4-formylbenzoate reveal that selectivity over the competing reduction to the alcohol requires careful control over mass transport. The generality is demonstrated with benzaldehydes, benzyl ketones, and furfural. A reaction-diffusion model explains the observed kinetics, and ab initio calculations provide insight into the mechanism. This study opens the possibility of a metal-free, electrically-powered, sustainable method for reductive organic reactions.