Radical Cross-Coupling Reaction Based on Hydrogen Atom Abstraction of DMF and Decarboxylation of α‑Ketoacid under Electricity

The cleavage of DMF into a dimethyl carbamoyl radical
under mild
electrochemical conditions was revealed for the first time. Meanwhile,
an electrochemical decarboxylation of α-ketoacid occurred to
produce an acyl radical. The radical cross-coupling reaction of these
two electron-deficient acyl radicals was carried out with high selectivity.
This discovery provides a new electrochemical way for the cracking
of DMF, and a milder and safer method for its application in organic
synthesis.