Electrochemical heterodifunctionalization of α-CF3 alkenes to access α-trifluoromethyl-β-sulfonyl tertiary alcohols.

An unprecedented electrochemical heterodifunctionalization of α-CF3 alkenes with benzenesulfonyl hydrazides was accomplished in this work, wherein a β-sulfonyl and a α-hydroxyl group were simultaneously incorporated across the olefinic double bond in a single operation. Consequently, a series of potentially medicinally valuable and densely functionalized α-trifluoromethyl-β-sulfonyl tertiary alcohols were assembled under mild conditions. Electrochemically-driven oxidative 1,2-difunctionlization of electron-deficient alkenes well obviates the need for oxidizing reagents, thus rendering this protocol more eco-friendly.