Electrochemically Enabled Total Syntheses of Natural Products

Electrochemical techniques have helped to enable the total synthesis of natural products since the pioneering work of Kolbe in the mid 1800's. The electrochemical toolset grows every day and these new possibilities change the way chemists look at and think about natural products. This review provides a perspective on total syntheses wherein electrochemical techniques enabled the carbon-carbon bond formations in the skeletal assembly of important natural products, discussion of mechanistic details, and representative examples of the bond formations enabled over the last several decades. These bond formations are often distinctly different from those possible with conventional chemistries and allow assemblies complementary to other techniques.

Automated summary

Electrochemical techniques have played a crucial role in the total synthesis of natural products since the pioneering work of Kolbe in the mid 1800s. These techniques have expanded over time, changing the way chemists approach and think about natural products. This review provides a perspective on the use of electrochemical techniques in enabling carbon-carbon bond formations in the assembly of important natural products, discussing mechanistic details and showcasing representative examples from the past few decades. These bond formations offer unique possibilities compared to conventional chemistries, allowing for complementary synthetic strategies.