Rhodaelectro-Catalyzed peri-Selective Direct Alkenylations with Weak O-Coordination Enabled by the Hydrogen Evolution...

Direct C-H functionalizations by electrocatalysis is dominated by strongly coordinating N(sp² )-directing groups. In sharp contrast, direct electrocatalytic transformations of weakly-coordinating phenols remain underdeveloped. Herein, electrooxidative peri C-H alkenylations of challenging 1-naphthols were achieved by versatile rhodium(III) catalysis via user-friendly constant current electrolysis. The rhodaelectrocatalysis employed readily-available alkenes and a protic reaction medium and features ample scope, good functional group tolerance and high site- and stereoselectivity. The strategy was successfully applied to high-value, nitrogen-containing heterocycles, thereby providing direct access to uncommon heterocyclic motifs based on the dihydropyranoquinoline skeleton.