Cobalt-Salen Catalyzed Electroreductive Alkylation of Activated Olefins

Abstract

Cobalt-Salen mediated electroreductive and regioselective alkylation of electron deficient olefins is reported in one step in an undivided electrochemical cell, in the presence of an iron rod as sacrificial anode. Although the reactivity depends on the class of alkyl halides, the reported study offers a green and expeditious electrosynthetic route for Csp3-Csp3 bond formation in mild conditions. This study also confirms the possible formation of the heterobinuclear cobalt-Salen-iron complex previously reported as the effective catalyst.