Alkynylation of Aldehydes Initiated by Cathodic Reduction

Alkynylation of aldehydes initiated by cathodic reduction was performed. The cathodic alkynylation required only a semi‐catalytic amount of electricity to consume the starting material completely. Cyclic voltammetry and some control experiments suggest that the electron‐generated base derived from the cathodic reduction of benzaldehyde promotes alkynylation. Alkynylation of aldehydes initiated by cathodic reduction was performed. The cathodic alkynylation required only a semi‐catalytic amount of electricity to consume the starting material completely. Cyclic voltammetry and some control experiments suggest that the electron‐generated base derived from the cathodic reduction of benzaldehyde promotes alkynylation.