biostudies-literatureFeng WJNatural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation)Natural Science Foundation of Anhui ProvinceYouth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS)National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNational Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences2390https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11893763biostudies-literatureUnknown16(1)Deuterium labeling has found extensive applications across various research fields, including organic synthesis, drug design, and molecular imaging. Electrocatalytic semi-hydrogenation of alkynes offers a viable route for the synthesis of Z-alkenes, yet it falls short in achieving the semi-deuteration of these compounds. In this study, we report an electrochemical cobalt-catalyzed transfer deuteration reaction that proficiently accomplishes the semi-deuteration of alkynes, yielding Z-configuration deuterated alkene products. This reaction utilizes cost-effective cobalt salts as catalysts and employs D₂O and AcOD (acetic acid-d) as economical and efficient deuterium sources, underscoring its practicality and feasibility. The reaction demonstrates a broad alkyne substrate scope, hNature communicationsElectrochemical cobalt-catalyzed semi-deuteration of alkynes to access deuterated Z-alkenes.PMC118937632237127322293011, T23410012208085J262023476Feng WJLu XFu YChang ZfalseElectrochemical cobalt-catalyzed semi-deuteration of alkynes to access deuterated Z-alkenes.Deuterium labeling has found extensive applications across various research fields, including organic synthesis, drug design, and molecular imaging. Electrocatalytic semi-hydrogenation of alkynes offers a viable route for the synthesis of Z-alkenes, yet it falls short in achieving the semi-deuteration of these compounds. In this study, we report an electrochemical cobalt-catalyzed transfer deuteration reaction that proficiently accomplishes the semi-deuteration of alkynes, yielding Z-configuration deuterated alkene products. This reaction utilizes cost-effective cobalt salts as catalysts and employs D₂O and AcOD (acetic acid-d) as economical and efficient deuterium sources, underscoring its practicality and feasibility. The reaction demonstrates a broad alkyne substrate scope, h2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2025-04-04T02:54:21.343Z2025-04-04T02:54:21.343ZS-EPMC118937634006491110.1038/s41467-025-57782-x