Radical Cross-Coupling Reaction Based on Hydrogen Atom Abstraction of DMF and Decarboxylation of α-Ketoacid under Electricity.

The cleavage of DMF into a dimethyl carbamoyl radical under mild electrochemical conditions was revealed for the first time. Meanwhile, an electrochemical decarboxylation of α-ketoacid occurred to produce an acyl radical. The radical cross-coupling reaction of these two electron-deficient acyl radicals was carried out with high selectivity. This discovery provides a new electrochemical way for the cracking of DMF, and a milder and safer method for its application in organic synthesis.