Cis-alkenes are important scaffolds in various natural products, pharmaceuticals, and organic functional materials. They are also key building blocks for developing molecular complexity from their stereospecific transformations. Current methods use catalytic reduction with transition metals for synthesis of cis-alkenes. However, transition metal-catalyzed selective semi-hydrogenation of alkynes to cis-olefms suffers from drawbacks including the use of stoichiometric amounts of reducing reagents, poor chemo- and stereo-selectivity and overreduction of alkenes to alkanes. A need exists for cost-effective hydrogenation methods with improved efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Embodiments of the invention include an electrochemical method to prepare an alkene, such as a cis-alkene, from an alkyne by reacting an alkyne in a reactor in the presence of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and an anode. Embodiments of the invention further include an electrochemical method to prepare an alkane from an alkyne by reacting an alkyne in a reactor in the presence of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and an anode.

Embodiments of the invention also include an electrochemical method to prepare an alkane from an alkene, such as a cis-alkene, by reacting an alkene, such as a cis-alkene, in a reactor in the presence of an electrochemical cell having a cathode and an anode. In embodiments of the invention, the alkene is not a trans-alkene.

Additional embodiments of the invention include compounds represented by the following Formula:

R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₅ , Rr, and R ₇ are independently selected from H; CN; alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, and the like; alkoxy, vinyl, alkenyl, formyl; CF ₃ ; CCl ₃ ; halide, C ₆ H ₅ ; amide such as C(0)N(CH ₃ ) ₂ , C(0)N(CH ₂ CH ₃ )2, C(0)N(CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₃ ) ₂ , and the like; acyl, such as C(O)- C ₆ ¾, and the like; ester, amino, thioalkoxy, phosphino, and the like; halide atom (F, Cl, Br, I), or any sulfur-containing group (e.g., triflate, sulfonate, tosylate) and the like; Arylating compound may be a heterocyclic aromatic compound such as an azole or azole derivative, aryl phosphates, aryl trifluoroacetates, and the like; The arylating compound may also be any aromatic or heteroaromatic halide, such as an aromatic or heteroaromatic chloride or bromide or iodine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIGS. 1A and IB illustrate fluorescence images of products 4a-4d in toluene (2.0 ^c 10 ^'5 M) under UV light (365 nm) and before and after grinding.

FIGS. 2A-2G illustrate (A-C) SEM micrographs of palladium nanoparticles formed on the cathode surface. (D) X-ray diffractograms of the palladium nanoparticles and (E-G) SEM micrographs of the Pd nanoparticles from the solution.

FIG. 3 illustrates hydrogenation of alkynes to Z-alkenes and construction of

mechanochromic materials.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plausible mechanism of electrochemical selective hydrogenation of alkynes.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrates normalized UV-Vis absorption and emission spectra of products 4a-4d in toluene.

FIG. 6 illustrates emission color coordinates of product 4b in the CIE ₁₉₃₁ chromaticity diagram.

FIG. 7 illustrates fluorescence emission spectra of unground and ground products 4a-4d.

FIG. 8 illustrates a DSC trace of product 4b in different states.

FIG. 9 illustrates powder XRD patterns of product 4b in different states.

FIG. 10 illustrates TGA curves of product 4b.

FIG. 11 illustrates cyclic voltammetry of 1, 2-diphenyl ethyne.

FIG. 12 is a ¾ and deuterium labelled NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 13 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 14 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 15 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 16 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 17 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 18 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 19 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 20 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 21 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 22 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 23 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 24 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 25 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 26 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 27 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 28 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 29 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 30 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 31 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 32 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 33 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 34 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 35 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 36 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 37 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 38 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 39 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 40 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 41 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 42 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 43 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 44 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 45 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product. FIG. 46 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 47 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 48 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 49 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 50 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 51 is a ¾ and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 52 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 53 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 54 is a 'H and/or a ¹³ C NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 55 is a 'H and deuterium labelled NMR spectra of the identified product.

FIG. 56 illustrates additional embodiments of the synthetic processes of the invention.

Mechanochromic fluorescent materials are a class of“smart” materials with fluorescent properties that change in response to external force stimuli.

Unless otherwise noted, all reagents were purchased from commercial sources and used without further purification. Alkynes 1 were prepared according to the literature procedures (M. Takimoto, S. Usami, Z. Hou, Scandium-catalyzed regio- and stereospecific methylalumination of silyloxy/alkoxy-substituted alkynes and alkenes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 18266-18268 (2009); C. Feng, T.-R Loh, Palladium-catalyzed decarboxyl ative cross-coupling of alkynyl carboxylic acids with arylboronic acids. Chem. Commun. 46, 4779-4781 (2010); A. Sagadevan, K. C. Hwang, Photo-induced sonogashira C-C coupling reaction catalyzed by simple copper (I) chloride salt at room temperature Adv. Synth. Catal. 354, 3421-3427 (2012); and, H Hu, F. Yang, Y. Wu, Palladacycle-catalyzed deacetonative sonogashira coupling of aryl propargyl alcohols with aryl chlorides. J. Org. Chem. 78, 10506-10511 (2013).).

Ethene-l,l,2-triyltribenzene was synthesized according to the literature procedures (C.-L. Sun, Y.-F. Gu, B. Wang, Z.-J. Shi, Direct arylation of alkenes with aryl iodides/bromides through an organocatalytic radical process. Chem. Eur. J. 17, 10844-10847 (2011). 1, 1,2,2- tetraphenylethene was prepared according to the literature procedures (C. Zhou, R. C. Larock, Regio- and stereoselective route to tetrasubstituted olefins by the palladium-catalyzed three- component coupling of aryl iodides, internal alkynes, and arylboronic acids. J. Org. Chem. 70, 3765-3777 (2005). The solvents were purified and dried using an innovative technology PS-MD- 5 solvent purification system. Electrochemical reactions were performed in three-necked round-bottomed flask (10 mL). The anodic electrode was graphite rod (cp6 mmx60 mm) and cathodic electrode was platinum disc (3.0 mm) or platinum plate (10x 10x0.1 mm). 1 (0.80 mmol), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%, 0.7 mg), Me2NH (0.5 equiv, 0.2 mL, 2.0 M in the methonal), Tetrabutylammonium iodide ( ⁿ Bμ4NI) (1.0 equiv, 295.5 mg) and MeOH (8.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round-bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.1 A maintained for 2.5-5 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ O ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane) on silica gel to provide the desired products 2.

NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AVANCE-400 or 500 spectrometer. The 'H NMR (400 or 500 MHz) chemical shifts were measured relative to tetramethylsilane (d 0 ppm). The ¹³ C NMR (100 or 125 MHz) chemical shifts were given using tetramethylsilane (d 0 ppm) as the internal standard. Chemical instrument is a dual display potentiostat (DJS-292B) (made in China). High resolution mass spectra (HR-MS) were obtained with an Agilent 6200 Accurate- Mass TOF LC/MS system with Electrospray Ionization (ESI). Infrared (IR) spectra were collected on a Nicolet 6700 spectrophotometer. Frequencies are given in reciprocal centimeters (cm ^'1 ) and only selected absorbance is reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the palladium particles was carried out using Bruker D8 advance X-ray diffractometer with a Cu-Ka radiation source (l = 1.54184 A, 50 KV, 1000 uA) at room temperature. Standard XRD patterns were used for identifying the peaks (PDF 00-001-0228 for PdCl ₂ , and PDF 01-087-0643 for Pd).

Fluorescence spectra were obtained on an Agilent Technologies Cary Eclipse Fluorescence Spectrometer. Absorption spectra were collected on a Thormo Scientific Evolution 600

Spectrometer. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement was performed on CH Instruments electrochemical workstation using an Ag/AgCl reference electrode, a platinum wire counter electrode, and a platinum plate working electrode. Standard XRD patterns (PDF 00-001-0228 for PdCl ₂ and PDF 01-087-0643 for Pd) were used for identifying the peaks. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) data wre performed using a TA Instruments SDT-Q600.

The electrochemical hydrogenation was carried out in three-necked round-bottomed flask (10 mL), with a graphite rod anode and a platinum disc cathode, la (0.80 mmol, 142.4 mg), Pd source (0.5 mol%), base (0.5 equiv), electrolyte (1.0 equiv) and solvent (8.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round-bottomed flask at indicated temperature with a indicated constant current maintained for 2.5 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ S0 ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The crude product was analyzed by ¹ H NMR in CDCl ₃ . Yields are based on la, determined by crude ¹ H NMR using dibromomethane as the internal standard and the residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel to provide the desired product. Table SI illustrates optimization of the electrochemical hydrogenation reaction conditions.

Table SI

Electrochemical hydrogenation of alkynes to the Z-alkenes

Electrochemical hydrogenation was carried out in three-necked round-bottomed flask (10 mL), with a graphite rod anode and a platinum disc cathode. 1 (0.80 mmol), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%,

0.7 mg), Me ₂ NH (0.5 equiv, 0.2 mL, 2.0 M in the methonal), "Bμ4NI (1.0 equiv, 295.5 mg) and MeOH (8.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round-bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.1 A maintained for 2.5-5 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ SO ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n- hexane) on silica gel to provide the desired products 2.

Pd-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkynes to alkanes via electro-reduction

Electro-reduction reaction was performed in three-necked round-bottomed flask (10 mL), with a graphite rod anode and a platinum disc cathode. 1 (0.80 mmol), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%, 0.7 mg), Me2NH (1.0 equiv, 0.4 mL, 2.0 M in the methonal), " ⁿ Bμ4NI (2.0 equiv, 591 mg) and MeCN (8.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round-bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.3 A maintained for 2.5-8 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ S0 ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane) on silica gel to provide the desired products 3a-3f.

Pd-catalyzed hydrogenation of alkenes to alkanes via electro-reduction

Electro-reduction reaction was performed in three-necked round-bottomed flask (10 mL), with a graphite rod anode and a platinum disc cathode. 2 (0.80 mmol), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%, 0.7 mg), Me ₂ NH (1.0 equiv, 0.4 mL, 2.0 M in the methonal), " ⁿ Bμ4NI (2.0 equiv, 291 mg) and MeCN (8.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round-bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.3 Amaintained for 2.5-10 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ S0 ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane) on silica gel to provide the desired products 3g-3k.

1 -((but-2-yn- 1 -yloxy)m ethyl )naphthalene (1 q)

To a stirred solution of but-2-yn-l-ol (252 mg, 3.6 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was added dropwise NaH (60% dispersion in oil, 214 mg, 5.3 mmol) at 0 °C. After the mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 3 h. The desired l-(bromomethyl)naphthalene (950 mg, 4.3 mmol) and a piece of tetrabutylammonium iodide were then added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. The aqueous layer was extracted with Et ₂ 0 and the combined organic layers were washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous Na ₂ SO ₄ ri, then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane/EtOAc =30/1) to afford yellow solid 642.6 mg, yield: 85%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): S (ppm) 7.81-7.82 (m, 4H), 7.45-7.47 (m, 3H), 4.74 (s, 2H), 4.16-4.18 (m, 2H), 1.88 (t, J = 2.2 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 135.2, 133.3, 133.1, 128.2, 127.9, 127.7, 126.8, 126.1, 126.0, 125.9, 82.7, 75.1, 71.5, 57.8, 3.6; Ms (El): m/z = 210.1 [M ⁺ ],

2-((but-2-yn- 1 -yloxy)methyl)pyridine (1 r)

To a stirred solution of but-2-yn-l-ol (252 mg, 3.6 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was added dropwise NaH (60% dispersion in oil, 214 mg, 5.3 mmol) at 0 °C. After the mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 3 h. The desired 2-(bromomethyl)pyridine (740 mg, 4.3 mmol) and a piece of tetrabutylammonium iodide were then added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. The aqueous layer was extracted with Et ₂ 0 and the combined organic layers were washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous Na ₂ SO ₄ , then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane/EtOAc =10/1) to afford pale yellow liquid, 452.4 mg, yield: 78%. 1 HNMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 8.55 (d, J= 4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (t, J= 6.0 Hz, 1H), 4.71 (s, 2H), 4.25 (s, 2H), 1.86 (s, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 158.1, 149.1, 136.6, 122.4, 121.6, 83.0, 74.9, 72.4, 58.7, 3.6; Ms (El): m/z = 161.1 [M ⁺ ],

A-(but-2-yn- 1 -yl )-N-methyl ani 1 i ne (1 v)

To a stirred solution of but-2-yn-l-yl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (896 mg, 4.0 mmol) in DMF (30 mL) was added /V-methylaniline (389 mg, 3.6 mmol) at room temperature. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 20 h. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous Na ₂ SC> ₄ , then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column

chromatography (hexane/DCM/EtOAc =50/1/1) to afford yellowish-brown oil 539.4 mg, yield: 94%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.22-7.26 (m, 2H), 6.83 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.77 (t, J= 7.4 Hz, 1H), 3.97 (d, 7= 4.8 Hz, 2H), 2.94 (s, 3H), 1.76 (t, 7= 2.2 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100

MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 149.4, 129.0, 117.9, 114.1, 79.6, 74.6, 42.7, 38.5, 3.5; Ms (El): m/z 159.1 [M ⁺ ],

1 -(but-2-yn- 1 -yl)-4-phenylpiperidine ( 1 w)

To a stirred solution of but-2-yn-l-yl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (896 mg, 4.0 mmol) in DMF (30 mL) was added 4-phenylpiperidine (579.6 mg, 3.6 mmol) at room temperature. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 20 h. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc and the combined organic layers were washed with water and brine, dried over anhydrous Na ₂ S0 ₄ , then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column

chromatography (hexane/DCM/EtOAc =50/1/1) to afford light yellow solid 690.1 mg, yield: 90%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.16-7.30 (m, 5H), 3.24-3.25 (m, 2H), 3.04-3.06 (m, 2H), 2.45-2.53 (m, 1H), 2.20-2.26 (m, 2H), 1.84-1.87 (m, 7H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 146.4, 128.4, 126.9, 126.1, 80.5, 74.6, 53.4, 47.8, 42.4, 33.5, 3.5; HRMS (ESC): calcd for C15H20N [M+H] ⁺ 214.1590, found 214.1598.

(Z)-l, 2-diphenyl ethene (2a)

Colorless liquid 116.6 mg, yield: 81%. GC analysis of the crude product indicated that the ratio of stereoisomers was E:Z = 1 :99. The electrochemical hydrogenation was carried out in three-necked round-bottomed flask (100 mL), with a graphite rod anode and a platinum plate (10x10x0.1 mm) cathode, la (8.0 mmol, 1.424 g), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%), Me ₂ NH (0.5 equiv, 2.0 M in the methonal), " ⁿ Bμ4NI (1.0 equiv) and MeOH (30.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round- bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.1 A maintained for 20 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 200 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ SO ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane) on silica gel to provide the desired products 1.12 g, yield: 78%. The electrochemical hydrogenation was carried out in three-necked round- bottomed flask (100 mL), with a graphite rod anode and reused with the unwashed Pt electrode as cathode, la (0.80 mmol, 142.4 mg), recycled Pd nanoparticles (filtration solution), Me?NH (0.5 equiv, 0.2 mL, 2.0 M in the methonal), " ⁿ Bμ4NI (1.0 equiv, 295.5 mg) and MeOH (8.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round-bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.1 A maintained for 2.5 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, a yield of 76% and high selectivity (99: 1) were obtained. This yield is based on la, determined by ¹ H NMR using dibromomethane as the internal standard. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.17-7.26 (M, 10H), 6.60 (s, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 137.3, 130.3, 128.9, 128.2, 127.1. Ms (El): m/z = 180.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-l-fluoro-4-styrylbenzene (2b)

A colorless liquid. Yellow solid 131.5 mg, yield: 83%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): δ (ppm) 7.16-7.21 (M, 7H), 6.88 (t, J= 8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.57 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H), 6.52 (d, J= 12.2 Hz, 1H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 130.6, 130.5, 130.3, 129.1, 128.8, 128.3, 127.2, 115.3, 115.0. Ms (El): m/z = 198.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-l-styryl-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzene (2c)

White solid, 174.6 mg, yield: 88%. GC analysis of the crude product indicated that the ratio of stereoisomers was E:Z = 1 :99. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.45 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (d, 7= 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.19 - 7.23 (m, 5H), 6.70 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H), 6.57 (d, J = 12.0 Hz, 1H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 141.0, 136.6, 132.4, 129.2, 128.9, 128.8, 128.5, 127.6, 125.24, 125.21, 125.17, 125.13. Ms (El): m/z = 248.1 [M ⁺ ],

White solid 131.2 mg, yield: 80%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): S (ppm) 7.49-7.51 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.47 (M, 2H), 7.73 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.25 (M, 3H), 7.16-7.18 (M, 2H), 7.73 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H), 6.54 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): S (ppm) 138.6, 136.2, 133.2, 132.7, 132.4, 130.5, 129.0, 128.7, 127.7, 118.7, 112.5; Ms (El): m/z = 205.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-2-styrylthiophene (2e)

An orange oil, 122 mg, yield: 82%. GC analysis of the crude product indicated that the ratio of stereoisomers was E:Z = 1 :99. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.24-7.34 (m, 5H), 7.06 (d, J= 4.8 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, J= 2.8 Hz, 1H), 6.85-6.87 (m, 1H), 6.68 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 139.8, 137.3, 128.9, 128.8, 128.5, 128.1, 127.5, 126.4, 125.5, 123.3. Ms (El): m/z = 186.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-4-styrylpyridine (2f)

Abrown oil, 133.2 mg, yield: 92%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 8.45 (s, 2H), 7.20- 7.24 (m, 5H), 7.09 (s, 2H), 6.78 (d, J= 9.6 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (d, J= 9.2 Hz, 1H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 149.9, 145.0, 136.2, 134.0, 128.8, 128.5, 127.9, 127.6, 123.5. Ms (El): m/z = 181.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-l-chloro-4-styrylbenzene (2g)

Pale yellow solid Yellow solid 157.5 mg, yield: 92%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.15 - 7.21 (m, 9H), 6.61 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H), 6.51 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 136.9, 135.7, 132.8, 131.0, 130.2, 128.9, 128.8, 128.4, 128.3, 127.3. Ms (El): m/z = 214.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-l,2-di-p-tolylethene (2h) Pale yellow solid, 133.1 mg, yield: 80%. GC analysis of the crude product indicated that the ratio of stereoisomers was E:Z = 2:98. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.15 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 4H), 7.02 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, 4H), 6.50 (s, 2H), 2.30 (s, 6H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 136.7, 134.6, 129.5, 128.9, 128.8, 21.2. Ms (El): m/z = 208.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-l,2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)ethene (2i)

White solid, 121.0 mg, yield: 70%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.15 - 7.18 (m, 4H), 6.88-6.94 (m, 4H), 6.52 (s, 2H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 163.1, 160.7, 132.9, 130.6, 130.5, 129.1, 115.4, 115.2. Ms (El): m/z = 216.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-l,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (2j)

Pale yellow solid, 150.8 mg, yield: 76%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.19 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 4H), 7.13 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 4H), 6.54 (s, 2H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 135.3, 133.1, 130.2, 129.6, 128.6. Ms (El): m/z = 248.0 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-prop-l-en-l-ylbenzene (2k)

Colorless liquid, 75.5 mg, yield: 80%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.19-7.30 (m, 5H), 6.43 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.77 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 1H), 1.89 (s, 3H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d = 137.67, 129.9, 128.9, 128.1, 126.7, 126.4, 14.6. Ms (El): m/z = 118.1 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-dodec-6-ene (21)

Colorless liquid, 103.5 mg, yield: 77%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 5.34-5.37 (m, 2H), 2.02 (q, J= 5.8 Hz, 4H), 1.26-1.36 (m, 12H), 0.89 (t, J= 7.0 Hz, 6H). ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh) d 129.9, 31.6, 29.5, 27.2, 22.6, 14.1. Ms (El): m/z = 168.2 [M ⁺ ],

(Z)-non-3-en-l-ylbenzene (2m)

Yellowish oil, 134.0 mg, yield: 83%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.16-7.29 (m, 5H), 5.34-5.43 (m, 2H), 2.65 (t, J= 8.2 Hz, 2H), 2.33-2.38 (m, 2H), 1.97 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 1.26-1.28 (m, 6H), 0.88 (t, 7= 7.0 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 142.2, 130.8, 128.6, 128.5, 128.3, 125.8, 36.1, 31.5, 29.3, 29.2, 27.2, 22.6, 14.1. HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C15H23 [M+H] ⁺ 203.1794, found 203.1801.

(Z)-dodec-3-en-l-ylbenzene (2n)

Yellowish oil, 158.1 mg, yield: 81%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.15-7.28 (m, 5H), 5.34-5.43 (m, 2H), 2.65 (t, J= 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.32-2.38 (m, 2H), 1.97 (d, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H), 1.25-1.26 (m, 12H), 0.88 (t, 7= 6.6 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 142.2,

130.8, 128.6, 128.5, 128.3, 125.8, 36.1, 31.9, 29.7, 29.5, 29.3, 29.2, 27.3, 22.7, 14.1; HRMS (ESC): calcd for C _I8 H ₂ 9 [M+H] ⁺ 245.2264, found 245.2267. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3005, 2925, 2854, 1604, 1454, 1077, 1030, 746, 722, 698, 485.

dec-l-ene (2o) Colorless liquid, 69.4 mg, yield: 62%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 5.75-5.85 (m, 1H), 4.91-5.00 (m, 2H), 2.04 (q, J= 7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.28-1.38 (m, 12H), 0.88 (t, J= 6.4 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 139.2, 114.1, 33.9, 32.0, 29.6, 29.4, 29.3, 29.1, 22.8, 14.1. Ms (El): m/z = 140.1 [M ⁺ ],

tert-butyl(pent-4-en-l-yloxy)diphenylsilane (2p)

Colorless liquid, 174.1 mg, yield: 67%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.66-7.68 (m, 4H), 7.33-7.37 (m, 6H), 5.74-5.84 (m, 1H), 4.91-5.01 (m, 2H), 3.68 (t, J= 6.4 Hz, 2H), 2.14 (t, 7= 6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.64-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.06-1.08 (m, 9H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 138.5, 135.6, 134.1, 129.5, 127.6, 114.5, 63.3, 31.8, 30.1, 26.9, 19.2; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C2iH ₂₉ OSi [M+H] ⁺ 325.1982, found 325.1980.

(Z)- 1 -((but-2-en- 1 -yloxy)methyl)naphthalene (2q)

Yellow oil 149.2 mg, yield: 88%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.76-7.80 (m, 4H), 7.42-7.46 (m, 3H), 5.66-5.67 (m, 2H), 4.64 (s, 2H), 4.10 (d, J= 5.2 Hz, 2H), 1.62 (d, J= 5.2 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 136.0, 133.3, 133.0, 128.1, 128.0, 127.9, 127.7, 126.9, 126.4, 126.0, 125.81, 125.76, 72.1, 65.5, 13.2; HRMS (ESC): calcd for C15H17O [M+H] ⁺ 213.1274, found 213.1269. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3054, 3021, 2920, 2855, 1720, 1602, 1509, 1441, 1261, 1090, 1018, 951, 854, 816, 751, 475.

(Z)-2-((but-2-en-yloxy)methyl)pyridine (2r)

Pale yellow liquid, 88.7 mg, yield: 68%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 8.56 (s, 1H), 7.69-7.70 (m, 1H), 7.46-7.47 (m, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), 5.66-5.70 (m, 2H), 4.64 (s, 2H), 4.19 (s, 2H), 1.68 (s, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 158.8, 149.1, 136.6, 128.3, 126.6, 122.3, 121.4, 73.0, 66.2, 13.2; HRMS (ESC): calcd for C ₁₀ H ₁₄ NO [M+H] ⁺ 164.1070, found 164.1080. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3054, 2201, 1422, 1265, 896, 740, 705, 434.

(Z)- 1 -((but-2-en- 1 -yloxy)methyl)-4-methoxybenzene (2s)

Pale yellow liquid, 92.1 mg, yield: 60%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.27-7.28 (m, 2H), 6.87-6.88 (m, 2H), 5.61-5.67 (m, 2H), 4.44-4.45 (m, 2H), 4.06 (s, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 1.64 (s, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 159.2, 130.6, 129.4, 127.9, 127.1, 113.8, 71.8, 65.2, 55.3, 13.2; HRMS (ESC): calcd for Ci ₂ Hi ₇ 0 ₂ [M+H] ⁺ 193.1223, found 193.1230. IR (cm ^'1 ): 2937, 2856, 1714, 1612, 1513, 1301, 1265, 1248, 1172, 1083, 1036, 822, 738, 703.

(Z)-l-((but-2-en-l-yloxy)methyl)-4-chlorobenzene (2t)

Pale yellow liquid 125.4 mg, yield: 80%. ¹ H NMR (500 MHz, CD ₃ OD): d (ppm) 7.33- 7.37 (m, 4H), 5.56-5.69 (m, 2H), 4.47-4.48 (m, 2H), 4.10 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H), 1.65 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (125 MHz, CD ₃ OD): d (ppm) 138.6, 134.3, 130.4, 129.4, 129.1, 127.7, 72.1,

66.5, 53.2; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C _H H ₁₄ CIO [M+H] ⁺ 197.0728, found 197.0723. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3022, 2921, 1600, 1506, 1364, 1265, 1202, 1033, 739, 692, 514.

(Z)-(but-2-en- 1 -yloxy)(tert-butyl)diphenylsilane (2u)

Colorless liquid 228.1 mg, yield: 92%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.67-7.72 (m, 4H), 7.35-7.43 (m, 6H), 5.59-5.61 (m, 1H), 5.44-5.51 (m, 1H), 4.27 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 2H), 1.46 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 3H), 1.05 (d, 7= 0.4 Hz, 9H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 135.6,

134.0, 130.0, 129.5, 127.6, 125.1, 60.1, 26.8, 19.2, 13.0; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C _2o H ₂₇ OSi [M+H] ⁺ 311.1826, found 311.1840. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3071, 2960, 2858, 1589, 1472, 1265, 1111, 1079, 823, 740, 702, 612, 506.

(Z)-/V-(but-2-en- 1 -yl )-N-m ethyl ani 1 i ne (2v)

Yellowish-brown solid 87.6 mg, yield: 68%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.19- 7.24 (m, 2H), 6.68-6.75 (m, 3H), 5.59-5.66 (m, 1H), 5.41-5.47 (m, 1H), 3.94 (d, J= 6.4 Hz, 2H), 2.89 (s, 3H), 1.71 (d, J= 5.2 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 149.8, 129.1,

126.9, 126.6, 116.7, 113.1, 49.5, 38.0, 13.0; HRMS (ESC): calcd for CnHieN [M+H] ⁺ 162.1277, found 162.1271. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3691, 3054, 2987, 2859, 2686, 2521, 2411, 2306, 1612, 1513, 1265, 1173, 1077, 1035, 896, 739, 583, 517.

(Z)- 1 -(but-2-en- 1 -yl)-4-phenylpiperidine (2w)

Yellow oil 118.7 mg, yield: 69%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.19-7.28 (m, 5H), 5.57-5.66 (m, 2H), 3.05-3.07 (m, 4H), 2.50 (s, 1H), 2.06-2.07 (m, 2H), 1.83-1.84 (m, 4H), 1.67 (s, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 146.5, 128.4, 127.1, 127.0, 126.9, 126.1, 55.1, 54.3, 42.8, 33.6, 13.1; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C15H22N [M+H] ⁺ 216.1747, found

216, 1767. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3600, 3005, 1714, 1421, 1363, 1222, 1092, 903, 530.

(Z)-2-((pent-3-en-l -yloxy)methyl)pyridine (2x)

Pale yellow oil 106.2 mg, yield: 75%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCh): S (ppm) 8.54 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.66-7.71 (m, 1H), 7.45 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.15-7.18 (m, 1H), 5.53-5.60 (m, 1H), 5.41-5.48 (m, 1H), 4.65 (s, 2H), 3.58 (t, J= 6.8 Hz, 2H), 2.40-2.46 (m, 2H), 1.64 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 158.9, 149.1, 136.6, 126.4, 126.0, 122.3, 121.3,

73.8, 70.6, 27.7, 12.9; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for CnHi ₁₆ ON [M+H] ⁺ 178.1226, found 178.1218. IR (cm ^'1 ): 2959, 2927, 2874, 1464, 1379, 909, 737, 423.

ethylbenzene (3a)

Colorless liquid 59.3 mg, yield: 70%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.14-7.28 (m, 5H), 2.61-2.70 (m, 2H), 1.23 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 144.3, 128.3, 127.9, 125.6, 28.9, 15.6. Ms (El): m/z = 106.1 [M ⁺ ],

propylbenzene (3b)

Colorless liquid 79.7 mg, yield: 83%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.12-7.24 (m, 5H), 2.55 (t, J= 7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.57-1.66 (m, 2H), 0.92 (t, J= 5.4 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 142.7, 128.5, 128.3, 125.7, 38.2, 24.6, 13.8. Ms (El): m/z = 120.1 [M ⁺ ],

1,2-diphenyl ethane (3c)

White solid 123.7 mg, yield: 85%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.26-7.30 (m, 4H), 7.17-7.23 (m, 6H), 2.92 (s, 4H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 141.8, 128.5, 128.3, 125.9, 37.9. Ms (El): m/z = 182.1 [M ⁺ ],

l-methyl-4-phenethylbenzene (3d)

White solid 127.0 mg, yield: 81%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCh): S (ppm) 7.25-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.14-7.19 (m, 4H), 6.97-7.01 (m, 3H), 2.89 (s, 4H), 2.32 (s, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): S (ppm) 141.9, 141.8, 137.9, 129.3, 128.3, 128.2, 126.7, 125.9, 125.4, 38.0, 21.4. Ms (El): m/z = 196.1 [M ⁺ ],

1 -methoxy-4-phenethylb enzene (3 e)

White solid, 154.3 mg, yield: 91%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.22-7.27 (m, 2H), 7.14-7.18 (m, 3H), 7.04-7.07 (m, 2H), 6.77-6.81 (m, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 2.85-2.86 (m, 4H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 157.9, 141.8, 133.9, 129.3, 128.5, 128.3, 125.9, 113.8, 55.2, 38.2, 37.0. Ms (El): m/z = 212.1 [M ⁺ ],

1,4-diphenylbutane (3f)

Colorless liquid, 129.3 mg, yield: 77%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 7.13-7.34 (m, 10H), 2.63 (m, 4H), 1.65-1.69 (m, 4H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCh): d (ppm) 142.6, 128.5, 128.3, 125.7, 35.8, 31.1. Ms (El): m/z = 210.1 [M ⁺ ],

2-ethylnaphthalene (3g)

Colorless liquid, 102.3 mg, yield: 82%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): 7.72-7.78 (m, 3H), 7.59 (s, 1H), 7.31-7.41 (m, 3H), 2.78 (q, J= 7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.28-1.32 (m, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 141.8, 133.8, 132.0, 127.8, 127.6, 127.4, 127.1, 125.8, 125.6, 125.0, 29.1, 15.5. Ms (El): m/z = 156.1 [M ⁺ ],

ethane- 1,1-diyl dibenzene (3h)

Colorless liquid, 128.1 mg, yield: 88%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.08-7.26 (m, 10H), 4.10-4.15 (m, 1H), 1.60-1.64 (m, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 146.3, 128.3, 127.6, 126.0, 44.8, 21.8. Ms (El): m/z = 182.1 [M ⁺ ],

ethane- 1 , 1 ,2-triyltribenzene (3i)

Colorless liquid, 142.4 mg, yield: 69%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.10-7.25 (m, 13H), 6.99 (d, J= 6.8 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 1H), 3.35 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d 144.5, 140.3, 129.1, 128.3, 128.1, 126.2, 125.9, 53.1, 42.1. Ms (El): m/z = 258.1 [M ⁺ ],

1,1, 2, 2-tetraphenyl ethane (3j)

The electrochemical hydrogenation was carried out in three-necked round-bottomed flask (10 mL), with a graphite rod anode and a platinum disc cathode. 1,1, 2, 2-tetraphenyl ethene (0.20 mmol, 64.4 mg), PdCl ₂ (2.0 mol%, 0.7 mg), Me ₂ NH (1.0 equiv, 0.1 mL, 2.0 M in the methonal), "BU4NI (2.0 equiv, 147.8 mg) and MeCN (6.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round- bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.3 A maintained for 10 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ S04, and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane) on silica gel to provide the desired products. White soild 58.1 mg, yield: 87%. ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CD3COCD3): d (ppm) 7.29 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 8H), 6.97 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 8H), 6.81-6.85 (m, 4H), 4.99 (s, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CD3COCD3): d (ppm) 143.8, 128.0, 127.5, 125.1, 55.1. HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C ₂₆ H ₂ 3 [M+H] ⁺ 335.1794, found 335.1800.

1 , 1 ,2,2-tetra(thiophen-2-yl)ethane (3 k)

Electrochemical hydrogenation was carried out in three-necked round-bottomed flask (10 mL), with a graphite rod anode and a platinum disc cathode. l,l,2,2-tetra(thiophen-2-yl)ethene (0.20 mmol, 71.2 mg), PdCl ₂ (2.0 mol%, 0.7 mg), Me ₂ NH (1.0 equiv, 0.1 mL, 2.0 M in the methonal), " ⁿ Bμ4NI (2.0 equiv, 147.8 mg) and MeCN (6.0 mL) were placed in a three-necked round-bottomed flask at 60 °C with a constant current of 0.3 A maintained for 10 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of EtOAc. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ S0 ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane) on silica gel to provide the desired products. Yellow soild 57.3 mg, yield: 80%. M.p. : 102-104 °C; ¹ HNMR (400 MHz, CD ₃ COCD ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.05 (d, J= 4.0 Hz, 4H), 6.82 (d, J= 4.0 Hz, 4H), 6.66-6.68 (m, 4H), 5.22 (s, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CD ₃ COCD ₃ ): d (ppm) 146.3, 126.2, 125.5, 124.1, 49.6; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C18H15S4 [M+H] ⁺ 359.0051, found 359.0038. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3054, 2986, 2305, 1265. 895, 743, 704, 439.

(Z)-/V,/V-diphenyl-4-(2-(4-styrylphenyl)oxazol-5-yl)aniline (4a)

To a reaction tube with a magnetic stirring bar, Pd(OAc) ₂ (2.3 mg, 0.01 mmol), 4- (oxazol -5-yl )-/V,/V-di phenyl ani 1 i ne (31.2 mg, 0.1 mmol), (z)-l-chloro-4-styrylbenzene (42.8 mg, 0.2 mmol), Cy3P HBF4 (7.4 mg, 0.02 mmol) and CS2CO3 (97.7 mg, 0.3 mmol) and toluene (2.0 mL) were added under N2 atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 110 °C for 24 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of CH2CI2. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na2SC>4, and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane/ethyl acetate/dichloromethane = 20/1/1, v/v/v) on silica gel to provide the desired products, yellow solid 31.8 mg, yield: 65%. ¾ NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.93 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.54 (d, J= 8.8Hz, 2H), 7.20-7.31 (m, 11H), 7.03-7.13 (m, 9H), 6.68 (d, J= 12.4 Hz, 1H), 6.60 (d, J= 12.4 Hz, 1H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 160.6, 151.3, 148.1, 147.3, 139.2, 137.0, 131.5, 129.5, 129.42, 129.37, 128.9, 128.4, 127.4, 126.1, 126.0, 125.2, 124.8, 123.5, 123.2, 122.4, 121.7; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C35H27N2O [M+H] ⁺ 491.2118, found 491.2125. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3033, 2926, 1724, 1589, 1488, 1329, 1281, 1177, 1109, 1027, 951, 824, 754, 696.

(Z)-A(A-di phenyl -4'-(2-(4-styryl phenyl )oxazol -5-yl )-[ l , 1 '-biphenyl] -4-amine (4b)

To a reaction tube with a magnetic stirring bar, Pd(OAc) ₂ (2.3 mg, 0.01 mmol), 4'- (oxazol-5-yl)-/V,/V-diphenyl-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-amine (38.8 mg, 0.1 mmol), (z)-l-chloro-4- styrylbenzene (42.8 mg, 0.2 mmol), Cy ₃ P HBF4 (7.4 mg, 0.02 mmol) and CS ₂ CO ₃ (97.7 mg, 0.3 mmol) and toluene (2.0 mL) were added under N2 atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 110 °C for 24 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of CH ₂ CI ₂ . The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ SO ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n- hexane/ethyl acetate/dichloromethane = 20/1/1, v/v/v) on silica gel to provide the desired products, yellow solid 40.2 mg, yield: 71%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): δ (ppm) 7.97 (d, J =

8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J= 8.4Hz, 2H), 7.63 (d, J= 8.8Hz, 2H), 7.50 (d, J= 8.4Hz, 2H), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.36 (d, J= 8.4Hz, 2H), 7.23-7.29 (m, 9H), 7.13-7.15 (m, 6H), 7.02-7.06 (m, 2H), 6.69 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 161.1, 151.2, 147.6, 140.6, 139.4, 137.0, 134.0, 131.6, 129.5, 129.4, 129.3, 128.9, 128.4, 127.6, 127.4, 127.0, 126.4, 126.2, 126.1, 124.6, 123.7, 123.5, 123.2; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C41H31N2O [M+H] ⁺ 567.2431, found 567.2426. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3031, 2926, 1733, 1699, 1652, 1539, 1488, 1418, 1327, 1265, 1179, 952, 820, 739, 698.

(Z)-4-(2-(4-(4-chlorostyryl)phenyl)oxazol-5-yl)-N,N-di phenyl aniline (4c)

To a reaction tube with a magnetic stirring bar, Pd(OAc)2 (2.3 mg, 0.01 mmol), 4- (oxazol -5-yl )-A( A'-di phenyl ani 1 i ne (31.2 mg, 0.1 mmol), (z)-l,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (49.6 mg, 0.2 mmol), Cy3P HBF4 (7.4 mg, 0.02 mmol) and CS2CO3 (97.7 mg, 0.3 mmol) and toluene (4.0 mL) were added under N2 atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 110 °C for 16 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of CH2CI2. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ SOL ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane/ethyl acetate/di chi orom ethane = 20/1/1, v/v/v) on silica gel to provide the desired products, yellow solid 31.4 mg, yield: 60%. ¾ NMR (500 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): S (ppm) 7.95 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.55 (d, J= 8.5Hz, 2H), 7.25-7.37 (m, 7H), 7.17-7.21 (m, 3H), 7.05-7.13 (m, 9H), 6.64 (d, J= 12.0 Hz, 1H), 6.60 (d, J= 12.5 Hz, 1H); ¹³ C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): δ (ppm) 160.4, 151.4, 148.2, 147.3, 138.8, 135.4, 133.1, 130.23, 130.16, 130.1, 129.4, 129.3, 128.6, 126.4, 126.1, 125.2, 124.8, 123.5, 123.1, 122.4, 121.6; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C35H26CIN2O [M+H] ⁺ 525.1728, found 525.1726. IR (cm ^’1 ): 3037, 2928, 2852, 1589, 1489, 1419, 1329, 1265, 1178, 1089, 1014, 951, 882, 825, 739, 698.

(Z)-4,4'-((ethene-l,2-diylbis(4, l-phenylene))bis(oxazole-2,5-diyl))

bi s(N, N-di phenyl ani 1 i ne) (4d)

To a reaction tube with a magnetic stirring bar, Pd(OAc)2 (4.6 mg, 0.02 mmol), 4- (oxazol -5-yl )-N, N-di phenyl ani 1 i ne (124.8 mg, 0.4 mmol), (z)-l,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (24.8 mg, 0.1 mmol), Cy3P HBF4 (14.8 mg, 0.04 mmol) and CS2CO3 (195.4 mg, 0.6 mmol) and toluene (4.0 mL) were added under N2 atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 110 °C for 24 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, and diluted with 20 mL of CH2CI2. The organic mixture was then washed with brine, dried over anh. Na ₂ SO ₄ , and evaporated under vacuum. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (n-hexane/ethyl

acetate/dichloromethane/acetone = 40/2/2/1, v/v/v/v) on silica gel to provide the desired products, yellow solid 34.4 mg, yield: 43%. ¹ H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 7.95 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 4H), 7.55 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 4H), 7.37 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 4H), 7.32 (s, 2H), 7.26-7.30 (m, 4H), 7.04-7.13 ₍ m, 20H), 6.70 (s, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl ₃ ): d (ppm) 160.5, 151.3, 148.2, 147.3, 138.9, 130.7, 129.4, 126.4, 126.2, 125.3, 125.2, 124.8, 123.5, 123.1, 122.5, 121.7; HRMS (ESI ⁺ ): calcd for C56H41N4O2 [M+H] ⁺ 801.3224, found 801.3225. IR (cm ^'1 ): 3035, 2929, 1814, 1681, 1588, 1489, 1448, 1328, 1275, 1177, 1132, 1074, 951, 825, 738, 697.

1, 2-diphenyl ethyne (la) was used as a model substrate to evaluate the feasibility of the electrochemical hydrogenation strategy (Table SI), la was hydrogenated efficiently to afford (Z)-l, 2-diphenyl ethene (2a) in 81% yield with great selectivity (E/Z 1 :99) under a constant current of 0.1 A in a user-friendly undivided three-necked round-bottomed flask at 60 °C (Table SI, entry 1). The reaction conditions were further investigated. Among the electrolytes investigated (e.g. " ⁿ Bμ4NI, "BU ₄ NPF ₆ , and "BU ₄ NBF ₄ ), ⁿ Bμ4NI was the most effective one (Table SI, entries 1-3). Methanol proved to be the most effective solvent (Table S I, entries 4-7). It was found that the selectivity and yield of 2a were reduced when other bases were used or in the absence of Me ₂ NH (Table SI, entry 8-10). Furthermore, replacement of PdCl ₂ with Pd(OAC)2 led to a slightly decreased reaction yield (Table SI, entry 11). A significant lower reaction yield was obtained by decreasing the operating current or temperature (Table SI, entries 12-13), while no desired product could be obtained in the absence of electric current (Table SI, entry 14). A very low yield was observed when a same electrode (either Pt/Pt or C/C) was employed (Table SI, entries 15-16). In addition, 2a was obtained in 18% yield when unwashed and reused Pt electrode was used as the cathode (Table SI, entry 17). Desired product was obtained in 76% yield with high selectivity using the recycled palladium nanoparticles (Table SI, entry 18), indicating that the inventive processes have potential for industrial production. Potential overreduced alkane byproduct was not detected in the reaction.

A library of alkynes were subjected to electrochemical hydrogenation, and the corresponding Z-alkenes were obtained in high yields with excellent chemo- and stereoselectivity (Table 1). (Z)-l, 2-diphenyl ethene (2a) was obtained on a gram scale in 78% yield with high Z/E selectivity. Di(hetero)arylethynes with either an electron-donating or electron- withdrawing substituent resulted in good yields of the desired Z-alkenes (2a-j).

Heteroarylethynes were exclusively reduced to the corresponding Z-alkenes without affecting the heteroaromatic rings (2e and 2f). Furthermore, hydrogenation of unactivated dialkyl acetylenes also provided the corresponding Z-olefms in high yields with excellent selectivity (21-2n and 2q- 2x). Moreover, terminal alkynes can be easily hydrogenated (2o-2p). As shown in Table 1, a variety of valuable functionalities such as amino, chloro, cyano, ether, fluoro, methoxyl, methyl, silicon, trifluoromethyl, and heterocycle were all well tolerated. Benzyl and naphthalene were compatible under the present conditions (2q-2t). Table 1 shows the electrochemical selective hydrogenation of various alkynes to Z-alkenes.

Table 1.

^* Reaction conditions: C anode, Pt cathode, constant current = 0.1 A, 1 (0.80 mmol), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%), Me ₂ NH (0.5 equiv), " ⁿ Bμ4NI (1.0 equiv), MeOH (8.0 mL), 60 °C, 2.5 h. Isolated yields and Z/E ratios are shown. Selectivity was determined by GC or NMR analysis. '3,5 h. ^Constant current = 0.2 A, PdCl ₂ (2.0 mol%), 5 h. ^s PdCl ₂ (1.0 mol%), 3.5 h. Complete reduction of alkynes to saturated alkanes was also achieved under slightly modified reaction conditions (Table 2). Table 2 shows the electrochemical selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkanes.

Table 2.

Reaction conditions: C anode, Pt cathode, constant current = 0.3 A, 1 (0.80 mmol), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%), Me ₂ NH (1.0 equiv), ⁿ Bu ₄ NI (2.0 equiv), MeCN (8.0 mL), 60 °C, 2.5 h. ^† PdCl ₂ (1.0 mol%), Me ₂ NH (2.0 equiv), ⁿ Bu ₄ NI (3.0 equiv), 8 h.

The metal electrode is not sacrificed under the present conditions. Moreover, deuterated 1,2-diphenyl ethane was obtained with 100% of deuterium incorporation in 83% yield with CD ₃ CN as the solvent under the standard reaction conditions (FIG. 12). Alkenes were also reduced cleanly to alkanes with the inventive processes. The inventive processes also showed good catalytic activity toward mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-substituted alkenes (Table 3). Table 3 shows the electrochemical selective hydrogenation of alkenes to alkanes.

Table 3.

Reaction conditions: C anode, Pt cathode, constant current = 0.3 A, 2 (0.80 mmol), PdCl ₂ (0.5 mol%), Me ₂ NH (1.0 equiv), ⁿ Bu ₄ NI (2.0 equiv), MeCN (8.0 mL), 60 °C, 2.5 h. ^† PdCl ₂ (1.0 mol%). iPdCl ₂ (2.0 mol%), 10 h.

A series of novel TPA-bearing (z)-2-(4-styrylphenyl)oxazole scaffolds were synthesized (4a-4d) (FIG. 3 and Table 4). (z)-l-chloro-4-styrylbenzene and (z)-l,2-bis(4- chlorophenyl)ethane were used as starting materials. Palladium-catalyzed C-H/C-Cl crosscoupling of TPA-bearing oxazoles (5) with 2g or 2j was performed to obtain the corresponding TPA-bearing (z)-2-(4-styrylphenyl)oxazole scaffolds 4a-4d (Table 4). Table 4 shows the synthesis of TPA-containing (z)-2-(4-styrylphenyl)oxazoles.

Table 4.

^Emission maximum and quantum yields in toluene (2x l0 ^-5 M). ^Emission maximum in pristine powder. ^Emission maximum in ground powder.

The photophysical properties of these scaffolds (4a-4d) were measured with respect to emission maximum along with quantum yields in toluene solution (2.0 x 10 ^'5 M) and emission maxima before and after grinding (Table 4 and Fig. 1). As shown in Fig. 1 A and Fig. 3b, their emission wavelengths in toluene are located in blue region (452 nm to 490 nm), and high fluorescence quantum yields in toluene (53%-62%) have been determined. 4b displayed deep- blue emission with CIE1931 of (0.15, 0.08), which is very close to EBEi coordinates of (0.15,

0.06) (Fig. 6). The absorption and emission spectra of 4a-4d in toluene are shown in Fig. 5. Molecules 4a-4d indicated blue-shifted mechanochromic luminescence properties (Fig. IB). Grinding of the pristine powder 4a-4d induced a blue-shift with emission color change from yellow (k _em = 503-568 nm) to blue-green (X _em = 483-502 nm), approximately 31, 34, 20, and 66 nm respectively (Table 4, Fig. 1 and Fig. 11).

Product 4b was further investigated and its powder phase characteristics were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. DSC experiment of the unground 4b did not present endothermic or exothermic peaks. In contrast, the ground 4b exhibited an obvious endothermic peak, indicating a transition from a metastable state to the stable state (Fig. 8). The PXRD patterns of the pristine solid of 4b exhibited sharp and intense reflections, whereas the sharp peaks disappeared after grinding (Fig. 9). These observations demonstrated a morphological transition from the crystalline to amorphous phase. Furthermore, its thermal stability was also evaluated by thermal gravimetric analyzer analysis (Fig. 10). Thermal decomposition temperatures (T _d ) of 4b is 343 °C, which indicate that 4b is thermally stable.

A series of deuterium labeling experiments were performed to verify the hydrogen source of Z-alkenes (Fig. 54). With CD ₃ OD as the solvent, (Z)-l, 2-diphenyl ethene ([D]-2a) was obtained with 83% of deuterium incorporation in the absence of a base (FIG. 54 scheme A), indicating that the hydrogen comes from both CD ₃ OD and the electrolyte, BmNT Furthermore, a slightly smaller proportion of deuterated product was observed with the addition of

diisopropylamine instead of diisopropylamine-d (FIG. 54, scheme B-C), suggesting that the diisopropylamine may also provide hydrogen in the reaction. Additionally, with CH ₃ OD as the solvent, the corresponding [D]-2a (D incorporation: ca. 82%) was observed (FIG. 54, scheme ID), suggesting that hydrogen was not provided by the methyl group in methanol in the reaction. Hydrogen sources are believed to be the hydroxyl group in methanol, electrolyte ⁿ Bμ4NI, and dimethylamine under the standard reaction conditions (FIG. 4).

A series of control experiments were conducted to probe the reaction pathway. The reaction either failed or proceeded with low efficiency when the solvent methanol was changed to formaldehyde or formic acid etc. (FIG. 54, Scheme F-I). These results indicate that a potential pathway involving the combination of carboxylic acid and zerovalent palladium catalyst could be excluded. Additionally, when the reaction was performed with PdCl ₂ or Pd(PPh ₃ )4 as a catalyst under 1 atm ¾, only 2-6% of (Z)-l, 2-diphenyl ethene was observed (FIG. 54, Scheme J-L), which excludes the possibility of the mechanism of hydrogenation with molecular hydrogen (¾). Furthermore, cyclic voltammetry (CV) of 1, 2-diphenyl ethyne (la) in CH ₃ OH with " ⁿ Bμ4NI (0.2 M) under nitrogen at a platinum electrode at a scan rate of v = 0.1 Vs/1 was measured (Fig. 11).

Advantageously, the palladium catalyst is recycleable. Other metal catalysts useful in the invention include rhodium, iron, cobalt, ruthenium, iridium, platinum, and copper catalysts, including but not limited to Cu(OTf)2 and CuCl ₂ .

Product la showed a single irreversible reduction peak at -0.67 V (vs. Ag/Ag ⁺ ), indicating that la can be reduced in CH ₃ OH. The morphologic analyses of all palladium particles including those from the cathode surface and the solution were carried out with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Fig. 2). SEM micrographs revealed irregular palladium deposits of nanometric dimensions. X-ray diffractograms (XRD) of these palladium particles showed that they are completely the Pd° (Fig. 2D). On the basis of the above observed results and previous reports, a plausible mechanism for the selective electrochemical hydrogenation reaction of alkynes to Z-alkenes was proposed (FIG. 4). Initially, methanol was used as a hydrogen source to generate chemisorbed hydrogen at the cathode. Palladium(O) nanoparticles were generated on the cathode, and adsorb hydrogen. Next, a hydrogen transfer process occured with alkynes to give intermediate C. Subsequently, intermediate C adsorbed another hydrogen atom to generate intermediate D. Finally, products Z-alkenes are generated and desorpted, and adsorption sites are regenerated. In the reaction, tetrabutylammonium ion is reduced by the cathode to generate tributylamine which then loses an electron on the anode to form amine radical cation E. This radical cation species could also transfer a hydrogen atom to intermediate C to afford the product 2

Standard method:

A total cost: $ 4.84, base on 1 mmol la.

Inventive method:

A total cost: $ 0.65, base on 1 mmol la. Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents.

All publications, patents and patent applications referenced herein are hereby

incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes as if each such publication, patent or patent application had been individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

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