Wang Y, Wang Q, Wu L, Jia K, Wang M, Qiu Y. Electroreduction of unactivated alkenes using water as hydrogen source.
Nat Commun 2024;
15:2780. [PMID:
38555370 PMCID:
PMC10981685 DOI:
10.1038/s41467-024-47168-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Herein, we report an electroreduction of unactivated alkyl alkenes enabled by [Fe]-H, which is provided through the combination of anodic iron salts and the silane generated in situ via cathodic reduction, using H2O as an H-source. The catalytic amounts of Si-additive work as an H-carrier from H2O to generate a highly active silane species in situ under continuous electrochemical conditions. This approach shows a broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. In addition to hydrogenation, the use of D2O instead of H2O provides the desired deuterated products in good yields with excellent D-incorporation (up to >99%). Further late-stage hydrogenation of complex molecules and drug derivatives demonstrate potential application in the pharmaceutical industry. Mechanistic studies are performed and provide support for the proposed mechanistic pathway.
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