Electrochemical Sulfonylation of Alkynes with Sulfonyl Hydrazides: A Metal- and Oxidant-Free Protocol for the Synthesis of Alkynyl Sulfones

Herein, an electrochemical oxidative cross-coupling reaction between terminal alkynes and sulfonylhydrazides has been developed. Tetrabutylammonium iodide is used as the electrolyte and redox medium. The significant advantages of this method are high atom efficiency, functional group tolerance, and transition metal- and oxidant-free conditions. Most of the compounds exhibit good inhibitory activity on tumor cell lines, and one of the compounds can inhibit cell migration and induce apoptosis in HeLa cells.