Electrocatalytic reactions: anion radical cyclobutanation reactions and electrogenerated base reactions

Intermolecular anion radical [2+2] cyclobutanation reactions have been observed between vinyl sulfones and vinyl/propenyl ketones. The products are novel and formed electrocatalytically, although yields are at best modest (11–45%). Competing mechanisms are discussed. Additionally, the electrochemical reduction of vinyl alkyl sulfones in acetonitrile leads to near quantitative formation of cyanomethylation product cyano-sulfones. The single step approach has electrocatalytic factors in excess of thirty.