Electrocatalytic Oxidative Hydrofunctionalization Reactions of Alkenes via Co(II/III/IV) Cycle

Here we disclose a general Co(II/III/IV) electrocatalytic platform for alkene functionalization. Driven by electricity, a set of the oxidative hydrofunctionalization reactions via hydrogen atom transfer were demonstrated without the need for stochiometric chemical oxidants. The scope of the reactions encompasses hydroalkoxylation, hydroacyloxylation, hydroarylation, semipinacol rearrangement, and deallylation. Mechanistic studies and stereochemical evidence support an ECEC process involving an electrochemically generated organocobalt(IV) intermediate. This work presents an example of reactivity space expansion in electrocatalysis in the VB12-system by going beyond the common oxidation states of Co(I/II/III).