We, herein, disclose a strategy to directly utilize user-friendly RuCl3·nH2O for ortho- as well as meta-C-H functionalizations at low temperatures. The key to success was the in situ formation of the active ruthenium catalyst through cathodic electron transfer, setting the stage for C-H activations under exceedingly mild reaction conditions. The robustness of our electrocatalysis process was highlighted by the late-stage diversification of compounds of relevance to chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as simple amines as terminal reductants for the electroreduction. Detailed mechanistic studies by, among others, spectroelectrochemical analysis provided strong evidence for a cathodic reduction manifold.
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.