Electrochemical Synthesis and Reactivity of Three‐Membered Strained Carbo‐ and Heterocycles

Abstract

AbstractThree‐membered carbocyclic and heterocyclic ring structures are versatile synthetic building blocks in organic synthesis with biological importance. Moreover, the inherent strain of these three‐membered rings leads to their ring‐opening functionalization through C‐>C, C‐>N, and C−O bond cleavage. Traditional synthesis and ring‐opening methods for these molecules require the use of acid catalysts or transition metals. Recently, electro‐organic synthesis has emerged as a powerful tool for initiating new chemical transformations. In this review, the synthetic and mechanistic aspects of electro‐mediated synthesis and ring‐opening functionalization of three‐membered carbo‐ and heterocycles are highlighted.