Electrocatalysis-Enabled Defluorinative Cross-Coupling of gem -Difluoroalkenes with Aldehydes and Ketones.

An electrochemical defluorinative cross-coupling of gem -difluoroalkenes with carbonyl compounds was described, by which highly stereoselective monofluoroalkene allyl alcohols were synthesized. The reaction tolerates a broad range of functional groups and has successfully been applied to synthesize complex molecules. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction starts from electron reduction of gem -difluoroalkenes to generate radical negative ions, which undergo β-fluoride elimination and subsequent reduction to form anions. These anions are subsequently trapped by carbonyl compounds to furnish target products.