The Synthesis of α-Keto Acetals from Terminal Alkynes and Alcohols via Synergistic Interaction of Organoselenium Catalysis and Electrochemical Oxidation.

Herein, an unprecedented electrochemical approach for the synthesis of α-keto acetals has been established from readily available terminal alkynes and alcohols. By merging the electrochemical and organoselenium-catalyzed processes, the desired products are obtained at room temperature in the absence of basic or metallic additives, with carbonyl and acetal motifs incorporated simultaneously across the triple bonds in a single operation.