| Abstract: | A ruthenium‐catalyzed electrochemical dehydrogenative annulation reaction of imidazoles with alkynes has been established, enabling the preparation of various bridgehead N‐fused 5,6]‐bicyclic heteroarenes through regioselective electrochemical C?H/N?H annulation without chemical metal oxidants. Novel azaruthenabicyclo3.2.0]heptadienes were fully characterized and identified as key intermediates. Mechanistic studies are suggestive of an oxidatively induced reductive elimination pathway within a ruthenium(II/III) regime. |
