Paired Oxidative and Reductive Catalysis: Breaking the Potential Barrier of Electrochemical C(sp3)−H Alkenylation

Due to the intrinsic inertness of alkanes, strong oxidative conditions are typically required to enable their C(sp3)−H functionalization. Herein, a paired electrocatalysis strategy was developed by integrating oxidative catalysis with reductive catalysis in one cell without interference, in which earth-abundant iron and nickel are employed as the anodic and cathodic catalysts, respectively. This approach lowers the previously high oxidation potential required for alkane activation, enabling electrochemical alkane functionalization at the ultra-low oxidation potential of ~0.25 V under mild conditions. Structurally diverse alkenes, including challenging all-carbon tetrasubstituted olefins, can be accessed via this electrochemical C(sp3)−H alkenylation using readily available alkenyl electrophiles.