“Electrochemically induced addition reactions in the absence of solvent and supporting electrolyte”

Solvent- and supporting electrolyte-free electrolysis in a two-compartment cell proved to be effective for the direct electroactivation of C-H acid-containing compounds vs. catalytic addition processes. Michael adducts (including quaternary carbon centres) and 2-nitroalkanols were obtained in very good yields and selectivity on application of a catalytic amount of electricity under galvanostatic conditions.