Electrochemical Ruthenium-Catalyzed Alkyne Annulations by C−H/Het−H Activation of Aryl Carbamates or Phenols in Protic Media

Electrooxidative peri-C–H activation was accomplished by versatile ruthenium(II) catalysis in terms of C–H/N–H and C–H/O–H functionalization. Thus, alkyne annulations proved viable with ample scope by organometallic C–H activation. The sustainable electrocatalysis exploited electricity, thereby avoiding the use of toxic transition metals as sacrificial oxidants. The robust ruthenium(II)-electrocatalysis was operative in a protic alcohol/H2O reaction medium with excellent levels of position-, regio- and chemo-selectivity.