Synthesis of 6-, 7-, and 8-membered lactones via the nickel-catalysed electrochemical arylation of electron-deficient olefins

A nickel-catalysed electroreductive process of arylation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic esters has been applied to the synthesis of medium-sized lactones. Of the two possible approaches investigated in this study, the most efficient one involves first the electrochemical condensation, followed by the lactonisation.