Chemo- and Site-Selective Electro-Oxidative Alkane Fluorination by C(sp3 )-H Cleavage
Maximilian Stangier1, Alexej Scheremetjew1, Lutz Ackermann1
1Institut für Organische und Biomolekulare Chemie Wöhler Research Institute for Sustainable Chemistry (WISCh), Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Tammannstrasse 2, 37077, Göttingen, Germany.
A novel metal-free electrochemical method enables selective fluorination of C(sp3)-H bonds using nucleophilic fluoride. This strategy offers high functional group tolerance for late-stage fluorination and subsequent synthetic transformations.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Electrochemistry
- Fluorination Chemistry
Background:
- Selective functionalization of C(sp3)-H bonds remains a significant challenge in organic synthesis.
- Traditional fluorination methods often require harsh reagents or lack selectivity.
- Developing milder and more efficient fluorination techniques is crucial for accessing complex molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a chemo- and site-selective electrochemical fluorination method for C(sp3)-H bonds.
- To establish a metal-free strategy that avoids electrophilic fluorine sources and stoichiometric oxidants.
- To demonstrate the utility of this method for late-stage fluorination of biorelevant compounds.
Main Methods:
- Electrochemical fluorination utilizing a nucleophilic fluoride source.
- Metal-free reaction conditions.
- One-pot sequential fluorination and arylation reactions.
Main Results:
- Successful chemo- and site-selective fluorination of C(sp3)-H bonds was achieved.
- The method demonstrated high functional group tolerance, enabling late-stage fluorination.
- Subsequent one-pot arylation of the generated benzylic fluorides showcased synthetic utility.
Conclusions:
- A new, efficient, and selective electrochemical method for C(sp3)-H fluorination has been developed.
- This metal-free approach broadens the scope of late-stage fluorination strategies.
- The methodology provides a valuable tool for the synthesis of fluorinated organic molecules.
Related Concept Videos
Radical Substitution: Halogenation of Alkanes and Alkyl Substituents
In the initiation step of the reaction, the chlorine molecule undergoes homolytic cleavage in the presence of light or heat, forming two highly reactive chlorine radicals. Propagation occurs in two...
Halogenation of Alkenes
Consider the bromination of cyclopentene. Molecular bromine is polarized in the proximity of the π electrons of cyclopentene. An electrophilic bromine atom adds across the double bond, forming a cyclic bromonium ion intermediate.
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
Alkynes to Carboxylic Acids: Oxidative Cleavage
Regioselectivity of Electrophilic Additions to Alkenes: Markovnikov's Rule
The hydrohalogenation of an unsymmetrical alkene can yield two haloalkane products, depending on which vinylic carbon takes up the halogen. However, one product usually predominates, where hydrogen adds to the vinylic carbon bearing the...
Ethers to Alkyl Halides: Acidic Cleavage


