Cathodic Carbonyl Alkylation of Aryl Ketones or Aldehydes with Unactivated Alkyl Halides

An efficient cathodic carbonyl alkylation of aryl ketones or aldehydes with unactivated alkyl halides has been realized through the electrochemical activation of iron. The protocol is believed to include a radical–radical coupling or nucleophilic addition process, and the formation of ketyl radicals and alkyl radicals has been demonstrated. The protocol provides various tertiary or secondary alcohols by the formation of intermolecular C–C bonds under safe and mild conditions, is scalable, consumes little energy, and exhibits a broad substrate scope.