Electrochemical Giese Reaction of α-Trifluoromethylstyrenes with Disulfides: Efficient Access to β-Trifluoromethylated Thioethers.

An electrochemical Giese-type hydrothiolation of α-trifluoromethylstyrenes with disulfides is disclosed for the first time under metal-free and mild conditions. This approach provides a facile methodology for β-trifluoromethylated thioethers in moderate to good yields with high functional group tolerance starting from readily available substrates. Additionally, late-stage modification of drug molecules and gram-scale synthesis show practical advantages. The radical pathway of this reaction has been revealed by control experiments and cyclic voltammetry measurements.