Here introduces a novel method for the electrochemical decarboxylative primary alkylarylation of alkenes using quaternary ammonium salts from fatty acids, eliminating the need for external oxidants or metal catalysts to facilitates the efficient synthesis of indolinone derivatives. It demonstrates broad functional group compatibility and substrate diversity. Furthermore, the incorporation of deuterated acetic acid allows for the easy introduction of fully deuterated methyl groups, while mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction proceeds through the single-electron oxidation of carboxylate anions, resulting in primary alkyl radical formation.
Lu et al. (Fri,) studied this question.