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Switchable electrochemical pathways for the selective C(sp3)-Ge bond formation

Author

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  • Haifeng Chen

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

  • Cai Zhai

    (Eastern Institute of Technology)

  • Huabing Zhang

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

  • Chen Zhu

    (Eastern Institute of Technology)

  • Magnus Rueping

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

Abstract

The development of efficient and general strategies for constructing alkyl germanes is crucial due to their significant roles in various areas that impact human quality of life. Herein, we report a robust electrochemically driven method for the construction of alkyl germanes, utilizing a variety of functionalized alkyl nitriles and commercially available chlorogermanes. The developed decyanative germylation approach allows for the efficient and modular preparation of a wide range of structurally diverse alkyl germanes under mild reaction conditions. Notably, primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl nitriles are all compatible. Furthermore, a series of natural product and drug-derived substrates undergo smooth late-stage functionalization, yielding the corresponding complex alkyl germanes.

Suggested Citation

  • Haifeng Chen & Cai Zhai & Huabing Zhang & Chen Zhu & Magnus Rueping, 2025. "Switchable electrochemical pathways for the selective C(sp3)-Ge bond formation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62141-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62141-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wen Zhang & Lingxiang Lu & Wendy Zhang & Yi Wang & Skyler D. Ware & Jose Mondragon & Jonas Rein & Neil Strotman & Dan Lehnherr & Kimberly A. See & Song Lin, 2022. "Electrochemically driven cross-electrophile coupling of alkyl halides," Nature, Nature, vol. 604(7905), pages 292-297, April.
    2. Zhipeng Lu & Minsoo Ju & Yi Wang & Jonathan M. Meinhardt & Jesus I. Martinez Alvarado & Elisia Villemure & Jack A. Terrett & Song Lin, 2023. "Regioselective aliphatic C–H functionalization using frustrated radical pairs," Nature, Nature, vol. 619(7970), pages 514-520, July.
    3. Rui Gu & Xiujuan Feng & Ming Bao & Xuan Zhang, 2023. "Modular access to alkylgermanes via reductive germylative alkylation of activated olefins under nickel catalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Shengqing Zhu & Jian Qin & Fang Wang & Huan Li & Lingling Chu, 2019. "Photoredox-catalyzed branch-selective pyridylation of alkenes for the expedient synthesis of Triprolidine," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-7, December.
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