Electroreductive Cross‐Electrophile Coupling of Aziridines and Aryl Bromides

Abstract

Abstract Herein, a nickela‐electrocatalyzed cross‐electrophile coupling of readily available aryl aziridines and aryl bromides under mild and sustainable electrochemical conditions to access synthetic useful β ‐arylethylamines is developed. This protocol is characterized by its exquisite chemo‐ and regioselectivity, broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility. Mechanistic studies confirmed that the regioselectivity and reactivity observed are a result of electro‐induced ring‐opening of aziridines under electroreductive conditions to generate a benzyl radical intermediate as the active species. Furthermore, this strategy also enables cross‐coupling with CO 2 to access β ‐amino acids under mild conditions.