Multidimensional Involvement of Tris(4-methoxyphenyl)amine in Electrolytic Sulfonylation of Alkenes

A tris(4-methoxyphenyl)amine (TMPA)-catalyzed paired-electrolysis sulfonylation is reported. TMPA first serves as the electron donor, thereby facilitating the reduction of sulfonyl chloride; subsequently, the resulting TMPA•+ oxidizes the benzyl radical intermediate. TMPA and the chloride anion also act as a Brønsted base to promote deprotonation at the α-carbon of the sulfonyl group. The current results elucidate a novel paradigm of triarylamine multiple activation, which may stimulate continuous exploration of multiple action modes of other mediators.