<b>Electrochemical Dearomatizing Spirocyclization of Alkynes with D</b>imethyl 2-Benzylmalonate<b>s to Spiro[4.5]deca-trienones</b>

Abstract

An electrochemical dearomatizing spirocyclization of alkynes with dimethyl 2-benzylmalonates for the preparation of spiro[4.5]deca-trienones has been developed. This approach adopts ferrocene (Cp₂Fe) as an electrocatalyst to produce carbon-centered radical intermediates from C-H-based malonates, which obviates the forthputting of noble-metal reagents, sacrificial chemical oxidants and 2-bromomalonates. A wide variety of spiro compounds are efficiently prepared with satisfactory results under mild conditions.