Reductive cyclodimerization of chalcones: exploring the "self-adaptability" of galvanostatic electrosynthesis.

The "self-adaptability" of galvanostatic electrolysis was shown to assist a multistage unprecedented chemo- and diastereoselective electrochemically promoted cyclodimerization of chalcones. The process, all involving the reductive events, delivered densely functionalized cyclopentanes featuring five contiguous stereocenters (25 examples, yields of up to 95%, dr values up to >20 : 1). Dedicated and combined experimental as well as electrochemical investigation revealed the key role of a dynamic kinetic resolution of the aldol intermediate for the reaction mechanism.