Electrochemical Oxy-Carbofunctionalization of Alkenes with Alcohols and 1,3-Dicarbonyl Compounds

We developed an electrochemical oxidative oxyalkylation of alkenes with alcohols and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to produce diverse 1,3-dicarbonyl modified benzyl ethers in yields of 34-81%. This operationally simple and green process uses an undivided cell with commercial carbon electrodes at room temperature. The alcohol acts as the oxygenation reagent and solvent, and only H₂ was generated as a byproduct. The synthetic utility of this method was demonstrated in the rapid synthesis of highly functionalized pyrazole, isoxazole, and 1,4-ketoalcohols compounds through late-stage functional transformations.