Metal-free chemoselective hydrogenation of unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds via cathodic reduction

A straightforward protocol for efficient and highly selective hydrogenation of unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds via electrochemical reduction has been reported. A series of chain alkanes and carbonyl compounds are produced under metal-free and external-reductant-free electrolytic conditions. Scale-up experiments have exhibited the potential applications of this protocol in practical synthesis. Deuterium-labelling experiments demonstrate that both DMSO and H 2 O in the reaction system can provide hydrogen atoms for the reaction.