Organocatalytic Electrochemical C–H Lactonization of Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

Abstract

An electrochemical strategy has been developed for radical arene carbon–oxygen bond formation. This reaction utilizes DDQ as a redox mediator, with inexpensive glassy carbon electrodes to facilitate an intramolecular lactonization of biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid derivatives via aromatic carboxyl radical substitution to give 6H-benzo[c]chromen-6-ones.