Facilitating Ir-Catalyzed C–H Alkynylation with Electrochemistry: Anodic Oxidation-Induced Reductive Elimination

Abstract

An electrochemical approach in promoting directed C-H alkynylation with terminal alkyne via iridium catalysis is reported. This work employed anodic oxidation of Ir(III) intermediate (characterized by X-ray crystallography) to promote reductive elimination, giving the desired coupling products in good yields (up to 95%) without the addition of any other external oxidants. This transformation is suitable for various directing groups with H₂ as the only by-product, which warrants a high atom economy and practical oxidative C-C bond formation under mild conditions.