Electroreductively driven C–H functionalization of arenes

Abstract

C–H bond functionalization of arenes, considered one of the most compelling synthetic methods in organic chemistry, has seen extensive development in the past few decades across various disciplines, including transition metal chemistry, photochemistry, enzyme chemistry, and electrochemistry. However, a predominant focus has been on the oxidation-driven activation of arene C–H bonds, with limited attention given to reduction-driven arene C–H bond functionalization. Electrochemistry, as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective technique with customizable redox potentials, offers an attractive alternative that eliminates the need for expensive metal and enzyme reagents, as well as toxic redox agents. This perspective explores reduction-driven C–H bond functionalization reactions of aromatic compounds, enabling the formation of C(sp²)–C(sp²), C(sp²)–C(sp³), and C(sp²)–X bonds. It highlights the challenges and opportunities inherent in this approach and provides insights into future development directions.