Electrosynthesis of four-membered ring systems

Abstract

Four-membered ring compounds, such as cyclobutanes, oxetanes, azetidines, and thietanes, are important structural motifs in bioactive molecules (natural products, pharmaceuticals), materials, and as intermediates in organic synthesis. Their strained ring systems possess unique reactivity and physicochemical properties, making their synthesis a focal point in organic chemistry. While [2 + 2] photocycloaddition, driven by light or photocatalysts, is the most common method for constructing four-membered rings, electrochemical synthesis offers a promising, yet underexplored, alternative. This comprehensive review highlights the electrochemical synthesis of four-membered ring systems, emphasizing their mechanisms, advantages, and potential.