Electrochemical C(sp)-C(sp) cross-dehydrogenative coupling: enabling access to 9-substituted fluorescent acridanes.

A straightforward strategy for direct access of C9-functionalized -alkyl-acridanes in good to excellent yields has been established a metal- and external oxidant-free sustainable electrochemical C(sp)-C(sp) cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction between acridanes and benzo fused lactones at ambient temperature. A broad substrate scope with superior functional-group tolerance anodic oxidation of acridanes permitted the synthesis of a vast spectrum of fluorescence-active acridanes with high quantum yields.