2,3‐Dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ)‐Mediated C(sp²)–C(sp³) Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction: α‐Alkylation of Push‐Pull Enamines and α‐Oxo Ketene Dithioacetals

A novel, metal‐free cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction of C( sp 2 )–H bonds of enamines and α‐oxo ketene dithioacetals with C( sp 3 )–H bonds of 1,3‐diarylpropenes mediated by 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) is reported. The α‐alkylation products are obtained with moderate to good yields. The method provides an efficient and alternative strategy for the synthesis of the corresponding products. magnified image