Photoelectrochemical cross-dehydrogenative coupling of benzothiazoles with strong aliphatic C-H bonds†

A photoelectrochemical strategy for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of unactivated aliphatic hydrogen donors (e.g. alkanes) with benzothiazoles is reported. We used tetrabutylammonium decatungstate as the photocatalyst to activate strong C(sp(3))-H bonds in the chosen substrates, while electrochemistry scavenged the extra electrons.

Automated summary

A novel photoelectrochemical strategy was developed for the cross-dehydrogenative coupling of unactivated aliphatic hydrogen donors with benzothiazoles. By using a specific photocatalyst to activate strong C(sp(3))-H bonds in the substrates, while utilizing electrochemistry to scavenge extra electrons, the reaction was efficiently achieved.