Synthesis 2007(21): 3411-3420  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-990835
FEATUREARTICLE
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Electrochemistry and Umpolung Reactions: New Tools for Solving Synthetic Challenges of Structure and Location

Feili Tang, Ceng Chen, Kevin D. Moeller*
Department of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Fax: +1(314)9354481; e-Mail: moeller@wustl.edu;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 3 September 2007
Publication Date:
16 October 2007 (online)

Abstract

Electrochemistry is a powerful tool for initiating new umpolung reactions. In this paper, two examples are provided. One demonstrates the use of electrochemistry for reversing the polarity of known functional groups and triggering carbon-carbon bond formation. The second demonstrates the use of electrochemistry for reversing the polarity of a chemical reagent, a technique that allows for spatially locating synthetic transformations on addressable chips.