Pulsed electrolysis enables unexpected lactonization of bicyclobutane carboxylic acids
byAnton S. Makarov, Liang Yi, Bholanath Maity, Luigi Cavallo, Magnus Rueping
Year:2026DOI:10.1039/D6SC01541G
Extra Information
Chemical Science
Abstract
Anodic oxidation of bicyclobutane carboxylic acids leads
to unexpected lactonization and provides access to substituted benzene
bioisosteres from highly strained precursors. High selectivity was
achieved under pulsed electrolysis. Mechanistic experiments, supported
by computational analysis, indicate that the transformation is initiated
by single-electron oxidation of the substrate to form a bicyclobutyl
radical cation, a key intermediate in redox-mediated transformations.
These results demonstrate the utility of electrochemical methods for
controlling the reactivity of bicyclobutane derivatives and provide a
foundation for further development of sustainable oxidative
transformations of strained molecules.