Photoelectrochemical Iron-Cobalt Synergistic Catalysis for C(sp3)–H Alkenylation

Abstract

Electrocatalysis and photocatalysis have both emerged as increasingly feasible platforms in sustainable synthesis. This study explores a novel photoelectrochemical synergistic strategy, achieving non-directed C(sp3)–H alkenylation reaction utilizing an iron-cobalt dual catalytic system. With the synergy of photoelectrochemical redox catalysis and iron-cobalt catalysis, efficient C(sp3)–H alkenylation reaction of alkanes as well as dehydrogenation occur without the need for external oxidants, yielding hydrogen gas as the sole byproduct. This method demonstrates unconventional regioselectivity, with a preference for alkenylation at the 1° C–H bonds. This research not only demonstrates that alkenes as radical acceptors can influence the regioselectivity but also offers a promising pathway for advancing iron-catalyzed C–H functionalization.