Transformation of α,β-Unsaturated Aldehydes with a Small Amount of Electricity: Cyanosilylation, Isomerization, and Nucleophilic Addition

An electrochemical method was developed to convert α,β-unsaturated aldehydes into carboxylic acid derivatives via cyanosilylation, isomerization, and nucleophilic addition. This reaction is more sustainable than the usual electrochemical organic reaction because this reaction proceeds catalytically with active species generated by a very small amount of electricity. Furthermore, scale-up synthesis with a flow reactor has been achieved.