A promising green method in cyclization reaction. Oxidation of 3-methylcatechol in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline

Electrochemical strategies for C-H functionalization and C-N bond formation

Conventional methods for carrying out carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation are typically conducted at elevated temperatures, and rely on expensive catalysts as well as the use of stoichiometric, and perhaps toxic, oxidants. In this regard, electrochemical synthesis has recently been recognized as a sustainable and scalable strategy for the construction of challenging carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Here, electrosynthesis has proven to be an environmentally benign, highly effective and versatile platform for achieving a wide range of nonclassical bond disconnections via generation of radical intermediates under mild reaction conditions. This review provides an overview on the use of anodic electrochemical methods for expediting the development of carbon-hydrogen functionalization and carbon-nitrogen bond formation strategies. Emphasis is placed on methodology development and mechanistic insight and aims to provide inspiration for future synthetic applications in the field of electrosynthesis.

Electrochemically Induced Michael Addition Reaction: An Overview

Due to its high potential for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds, Michael addition reaction is one of the closest reactions to the heart of synthetic organic chemists. Electrochemistry presents a very stimulating and divergent resource for selective oxidation and reduction in organic chemistry, generating activated species, for example radical anions or radical cations. In this review, we try to underscore usefulness of electrogenerated Michael addition reaction with the hope of encouraging synthetic organic chemists to contemplate it, as an efficient and green strategy when it is required in their designed multi-step reaction pathways.

Green and One-Pot Electrochemical Synthesis of New Benzofurans Based on an ECC Mechanism

The electrochemical oxidation of quinizarine has been studied in the presence of methyl cyanoacetate and ethyl cyanoacetate acting as a nucleophile in acetate buffer solution mixed with ethanol (30/70 v/v) using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry methods. The results revealed that anthracene-1,4,9,10-tetraone derived from the electro-oxidation of quinizarin participates in 1,4-Michael addition reactions with cyanoacetate derivatives. The adducts formed convert to the corresponding benzofuran derivatives through an ECC (Electrochemical, Chemical, Chemical reaction) mechanism. In the present study, benzofuran derivatives were synthesised in good yields using controlled potential electro-oxidation at three graphite electrode in an undivided cell under mild conditions.