Electroreductive hydrogenation of activated olefins using the concept of site isolation

Electroreductive hydrogenation of activated olefins was investigated using the concept of site isolation. It was shown by electrochemical measurements as well as preparative electrolyses that the use of silica gel-supported sulfonic acid (Si-SO₃H) promotes the protonation step in electroreductive hydrogenation of activated olefins without electroreductive destruction at the cathode. On the basis of the concept of site isolation, electroreductive hydrogenation of several activated olefins was successfully carried out to provide the corresponding hydrogenation products in high yields.