Electrochemical reductive coupling of terminal acetylenes and aldehydes to access propargylic alcohols

Abstract

Herein, we present an efficient and environmentally benign electrochemical strategy that enables the construction of propargylic alcohols through the cathodic reductive coupling of acetylenes and aldehydes under ambient conditions. Notably, this process is feasible under external metal, base, catalyst, and oxidant-free conditions. The mechanistic investigation suggests that the reaction proceeds through alkynyl and ketyl radical formation (umpolung, the reversal of polarity).