Electrochemically promoted decarboxylative borylation of alkyl N-hydroxyphthalimide esters

An electrochemically promoted decarboxylative borylation reaction is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions in an undivided cell without use of transition metal- or photo-catalysts. The key feature of the reaction is the compatibility of diboron reagents with the electrochemical conditions. This reaction exhibits broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerability, and easy scalability.