Electrochemical-induced hydroxylation of aryl halides in the presence of Et3N in water.

A thorough study of mild and environmentally friendly electrochemical-induced hydroxylation of aryl halides without a catalyst is presented. The best protocol consists of hydroxylation of different aryl iodides and aryl bromides by water solution in the presence of Et3N under air, affording the target phenols in good isolated yields. Moreover, aryl chlorides were successfully employed as substrates. This methodology also provides a direct pathway for the formation of deoxyphomalone, which displayed a significant anti-proliferation effect.