Electrochemically\nDriven α,β-Dehydrogenation\nof Flavanones, Azaflavanones, and Thioflavanones

α,β-Dehydrogenation of flavanones represents\nan ideal\nstrategy to synthesize various flavones but remains challenging because\nof the requirements for rigorous conditions. Herein, a straightforward\nand efficient route for the synthesis of flavones via electrocatalysis\nis disclosed. This electro-oxidative approach shows a broad substrate\nscope, including azaflavanones and thioflavanones, which could be\nperformed in an undivided cell without the removal of air or water\nand in the absence of metal catalysts, ligands, or external oxidants.\nMoreover, the combination of cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry\nexperiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed\nthe plausible mechanism.