Cobalt-Catalyzed Electrochemical Reductive Coupling of Alkynes and Alkenes

Transition-metal-catalyzed coupling reactions have now been extensively studied. However, the traditional reaction generally requires the addition of excessive amount of oxidant or reductive reagent. The new reaction mode of electro-organic synthesis avoids the usage of stoichiometric amount of redox reagent, which is more in line with the concept of green chemistry and atom economy. Recently cobalt catalysis has been discovered to be a cheap and low toxic alternative to noble transition-metal catalysts. In this paper, the reductive coupling reaction between alkynes and alkenes has been developed via electrochemistry by cobalt catalysis. The product could be delivered up to 90% yield with excellent regioselectivity.