Recent Advance in Electrochemical Dehalogenative Deuteration

In recent years, the incorporation of deuterium atoms into organic compounds has emerged as a vital focus in the development of pharmaceutical molecules. This trend is driven by the increasing recognition of the significance of compounds containing deuterium atoms across various domains, including materials and biopharmaceuticals, where they have found widespread applications in mechanistic studies within the realms of chemistry and biology. Meanwhile, organic electrochemistry, as a relatively environmentally friendly catalytic mode with broad adaptability to redox reactions, has emerged as a crucial alternative to traditional halogen-deuterium exchange in the context of the reduction deuteration of halides. This approach circumvents the uses of transition metal catalysts and toxic deuterated reagents which are commonly employed in traditional methods. Notably, electrocatalytic dehalogenation with deuterium incorporation typically relies on heavy water as the deuterium source, ensuring high yields and significant deuterium incorporation. In recent years, electrochemically dehalogenative deuteration of halides has made substantial progress, providing critical support for the synthesis and development of deuterated compounds. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in electrochemical reductive deuteration of both aromatic and alkyl halides, categorizing the progress according to the type of halide and delving into the underlying reaction mechanisms.