Electrochemical Decarboxylative Functionalizations through Carbocation Intermediates
Fei Lian, Zhoumei Tan, Kun Xu
Abstract
In contrast to radical‐mediated electrochemical decarboxylative couplings, electrochemical decarboxylative functionalizations proceeding through carbocation intermediates (Hofer‐Moest pathway) unlock unique reactivity and selectivity. These in situ‐generated carbocations can be trapped by diverse nucleophiles or undergo elimination to form alkenes, significantly expanding synthetic versatility. This review systematically surveys advances in electrochemical Hofer‐Moest‐type reactions since 2019, categorizing transformations by bond‐forming events (CN, CO, CP, CF, CC, and CC). Beyond summarizing key breakthroughs, it also provide balanced evaluation of current limitations to delineate the scope and applicability of these methods. Finally, persistent challenges are outlined and future research directions in this emerging field is proposed.