Electrochemical Oxidative Hydroxychalcogenation of Olefins with Disulfides/Thiols/Diselenides and H2O as Nucleophilic Oxygen Sources

A direct electrochemical redox reaction of olefins and disulfides/thiols/diselenides without external oxidants has been developed, which includes the hydroxychalcogenation of olefins. This procedure exhibited good functional group tolerance, and a series of β‐hydroxysulfide/β‐hydroxyselenide derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic studies and cyclic voltammetry were also conducted to elucidate the reaction process.