Rapid Alternating Polarity as an Approach for Electrocatalytic Synthesis of Remote meta -C–H Alkenylation

Electrooxidation as a green and atom-economical oxidant that can replace the traditional metal salt oxidants has been applied in metal-catalyzed C–H functionalization under direct current (DC) conditions. Herein, we first disclose the Pd-electrocatalyzed meta -C–H alkenylation of benzoic acid derivatives under alternating current (AC) conditions. The rapid alternating polarity is the key to increasing the yield and effectively avoiding the formation of black fouling on the cathode surface, which greatly maintained the activity of the electrode and extended its lifetime.