Electrochemical oxidative thiocyanation and amination of enaminones towards the synthesis of multi-substituted alkenes

A highly stereoselective synthesis of thiocyanated enaminones was achieved by an electrochemical process, which involved C–H bond thiocyanation and vinyl C–N bond transamination. Various aryl enaminones were compatible, generating the desired thiocyanated enaminones in up to 87% yields. This transformation proceeded smoothly without an external oxidant, a supporting electrolyte and a transition-metal catalyst. Gram-scale synthesis showed the potential of this protocol for practical application.