Electrochemical Intermolecular Monofluoroalkylation of α,β-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids and Heteroaromatics with 2-Fluoromalonate Esters

An electrochemical approach for the preparation of monofluorides from α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids and heteroaromatics with readily available 2-fluoromalonate esters as monofluoroalkyl radical precursors has been developed. The electrosynthesis employs ferrocene (Cp₂Fe) as a catalyst in a simple undivided cell with a broad substrate scope, which obviates the need for sacrificial oxidizing reagents.