Electrochemical-induced radical allylation via the fragmentation of alkyl 1,4-dihydropyridines

Aldehydes are abundant chemical motifs presented in natural products and pharmaceuticals. As a radical precursor, its application is limited. Dihydropyridines (DHPs) can act as masked aldehydes, providing alkyl radicals under the activation of Lewis acid, heat, SET oxidant and light irradiation. Herein, we report the direct activation of 4-alkyl DHPs via single electron transfer at the anode. CC bond homolysis at the C4-position of DHP generated the corresponding alkyl radical, which was captured subsequently by 2-phenyl and 2-ethoxy carbonyl allyl bromide. The following intramolecular elimination reaction afforded 20 different radical allylation products bearing various alkyl substituents with yields up to 92%.