Cubane Electrochemistry: Direct Conversion of Cubane Carboxylic Acids to Alkoxy Cubanes Using the Hofer–Moest Reaction under Flow Conditions

The highly strained cubane system is of great interest as a scaffold and rigid linker in both pharmaceutical and materials chemistry. The first electrochemical functionalisation of cubane by oxidative decarboxylative ether formation (Hofer-Moest reaction) was demonstrated. The mild conditions are compatible with the presence of other oxidisable functional groups, and the use of flow electrochemical conditions allows straightforward upscaling.