Thianthrenium Salts as Aryl Radical Precursors for Direct Arylation of β‐Dicarbonyl Compounds via Electrochemical S RN 1 Reaction

ABSTRACT Herein, the electrochemical S RN 1 reaction between various thianthrenium salts and β‐dicarbonyl compounds and analogues was reported. This rare example of electrochemical functionalization of thianthrenium salts allowed the formation of the arylated products in moderate to good yields. The reaction was applied to various thianthrenium salts having electron withdrawing groups and β‐dicarbonyl compounds. The study of the reaction mechanism confirmed a reduction of the electro‐poor thianthrenium salts followed by their reaction with the putative enolate species as formal nucleophile, according to a S RN 1 mechanism.