Electroreduction Enables Regioselective 1,2‐Diarylation of Alkenes with Two Electrophiles.

Precisely introducing two similar functional groups into bulk chemical alkenes represents a formidable route to complex molecules. Especially, the selective activation of two electrophiles is in crucial demand, yet challenging for cross‐electrophile‐coupling. Herein, we demonstrate a redox‐mediated electrolysis, in which aryl nitriles are both aryl radical precursors and redox‐mediators, enables an intermolecular alkene 1,2‐diarylation with a remarkable regioselectivity, thereby avoiding the involvement of transition‐metal catalysts. This transformation utilizes cyanoarene radical anions for activating various aryl halides (including iodides, bromides, and even chlorides) and affords 1,2‐diarylation adducts in up to 83 % yield and >20 : 1 regioselectivity with more than 80 examples, providing a feasible approach to complex bibenzyl derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]