A solvent-directed stereoselective and electrocatalytic synthesis of diisoeugenol.

A stereoselective and electrocatalytic coupling reaction of isoeugenol has been reported for the first time in a 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP)/boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode system. This particular C-C bond formation and diastereoselectivity is driven by a solvate interaction between the radical species and another isoeugenol molecule. Due to an electrocatalytic cycle, only understoichiometric amounts of charge are necessary.