Electrochemically Driven para-Selective C(sp2)-H Alkylation Enabled by Activation of Alkyl Halides without Sacrificial Anodes

Abstract

With alkyl halides (I, Br, Cl) as a coupling partner, an electrochemically driven strategy for para-selective C(sp²)-H alkylation of electron-deficient arenes (aryl esters, aldehydes, nitriles, and ketones) has been achieved to access diverse alkylated arenes in one step. The reaction enables the activation of alkyl halides in the absence of sacrificial anodes, achieving the formation of C(sp²)-C(sp³) bonds under mild electrolytic conditions. The utility of this protocol is reflected in high site selectivity, broad substrate scope, and scalable.

Keywords: C(sp2)−H alkylation; alkyl halides; electrochemistry; site selectivity; without sacrificial anodes.