Electrochemical Allylic Functionalization: A Sustainable Platform for Upgrading Allylic Compounds

The upgrading of readily available allylic compounds into functionalized allylic scaffolds is of paramount importance in synthetic chemistry, given their prevalence in drug molecules and their derivatization potential. In this context, electrochemical allylic functionalization emerges as a sustainable platform for this purpose, and constructs CC and C–heteroatom bonds under mild conditions. To date, however, no comprehensive review has specifically addressed this emerging area. In this review, we summarize recent major advances in electrochemical allylic functionalizations, categorized by reaction type into five classes: allylic carboxylation, allylic (hetero)arylation, allylic alkylation, allylic borylation, and allylic CH functionalization. We place particular emphasis on reaction mechanisms and substrate scope, and also discuss the limitations of the reported examples. Finally, we outline current challenges and provide an outlook on future directions, with the aim of inspiring further exciting developments in this rapidly growing area.