Electrochemical heterodifunctionalization of α-CF3 alkenes to access α-trifluoromethyl-β-sulfonyl tertiary alcohols

An unprecedented electrochemical heterodifunctionalization of alpha-CF3 alkenes with benzenesulfonyl hydrazides was accomplished in this work, wherein a beta-sulfonyl and a alpha-hydroxyl group were simultaneously incorporated across the olefinic double bond in a single operation. Consequently, a series of potentially medicinally valuable and densely functionalized alpha-trifluoromethyl-beta-sulfonyl tertiary alcohols were assembled under mild conditions. Electrochemically-driven oxidative 1,2-difunctionlization of electron-deficient alkenes well obviates the need for oxidizing reagents, thus rendering this protocol more eco-friendly.

Automated summary

An unprecedented electrochemical heterodifunctionalization of alpha-CF3 alkenes with benzenesulfonyl hydrazides was achieved in this work, leading to the assembly of a series of potentially medicinally valuable and densely functionalized compounds under mild conditions. This protocol is more eco-friendly by obviating the need for oxidizing reagents in the electrochemically-driven oxidative 1,2-difunctionlization of electron-deficient alkenes.