Electrochemical‐induced 1,3‐oxohydroxylation of arylcyclopropanes

Herein, we present a method for electrochemical‐induced 1,3‐oxohydroxylation of arylcyclopropanes with H2O as the green oxygen source. This transformation offers a regioselective route to highly functionalized β‐hydroxy ketones under oxidant‐ and metal‐free conditions. Notably, this electrochemical approach features high step and atom economy, simple operation, excellent regioselectivity, high functional group tolerance, and easy derivatization of the products. Mechanistic studies have provided solid evidences that 1,3‐diol acts as the crucial intermediate in this reaction, leading to the observed regioselectivity.