Dual Transition Metal Electrocatalysis Enables Selective C(sp)-C(sp) Bond Cleavage and Arylation of Cyclic Alcohols

We report a dual transition metal electrocatalytic approach for C(sp)-C(sp) bond cleavage and arylation of cyclic alcohols, providing an efficient and sustainable method for site-specific arylation of ketones. The reaction involves electrophotochemical cerium-catalysed generation of alkoxyl radicals from readily accessible alcohols. Subsequently, homolytic cleavage of the β-C-C bond leads to the generation of carbon-centered radicals that could be effectively utilized by nickel catalysis powered by cathode reduction to deliver the remote arylated ketone products.