Efficient Electrocatalysis for the Preparation of (Hetero)aryl Chlorides and Vinyl Chloride with 1,2-Dichloroethane

Abstract

Although the application of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) as a chlorinating reagent in organic synthesis with the concomitant release of vinyl chloride as a useful byproduct is a fantastic idea, it still presents a tremendous challenge and has not yet been achieved because of the harsh dehydrochlorination conditions and the sluggish C-H chlorination process. Here we report a bifunctional electrocatalysis strategy for the catalytic dehydrochlorination of DCE at the cathode simultaneously with anodic oxidative aromatic chlorination using the released HCl as the chloride source for the efficient synthesis of value-added (hetero)aryl chlorides. The mildness and practicality of the protocol was further demonstrated by the efficient late-stage chlorination of bioactive molecules.

Keywords: C−H functionalization; chlorination; dehydrochlorination; electrochemistry; radicals.