Electrochemistry-Enabled Ir-Catalyzed C-H/N-N Bond Activation Facilitates [3+2] Annulation of Phenidones with Propiolates

Abstract

A mild and efficient [3+2] annulation of phenidones with propiolates has been developed to access N-substituted indole alkylamides, enabled by merging electrochemistry with iridium catalysis using an undivided cell at room temperature. The mechanistic studies have confirmed that the electrochemically mediated catalytic cycle of IrI-IrIII-IrV exhibits enhanced efficiency, mild reaction conditions, and unconventional selectivity.