Electrochemical Conversion of Phthaldianilides to Phthalazin-1,4-diones by Dehydrogenative N-N Bond Formation.

The electrochemical synthesis of 6-membered rings via anodic dianilide N-N coupling is challenging due to concurring benzoxazole co-formation. The rigidity of the a phthalic acid backbone allows a novel access to phthalazin-1,4-diones by N-N bond formation using anodically generated amidyl radicals. Since conventional synthetic routes to phthalazin-1,4-diones require the use of toxic N,N'-diarylhydrazines and generate reagent waste, a safer and more sustainable approach is required. Easy accessible starting materials, a broad scope of applicable functional groups, promising yields, and a very simple set-up elevate this sustainable method.

Electrifying Organic Synthesis.

The direct synthetic organic use of electricity is currently experiencing a renaissance. More synthetically oriented laboratories working in this area are exploiting both novel and more traditional concepts, paving the way to broader applications of this niche technology. As only electrons serve as reagents, the generation of reagent waste is efficiently avoided. Moreover, stoichiometric reagents can be regenerated and allow a transformation to be conducted in an electrocatalytic fashion. However, the application of electroorganic transformations is more than minimizing the waste footprint, it rather gives rise to inherently safe processes, reduces the number of steps of many syntheses, allows for milder reaction conditions, provides alternative means to access desired structural entities, and creates intellectual property (IP) space. When the electricity originates from renewable resources, this surplus might be directly employed as a terminal oxidizing or reducing agent, providing an ultra-sustainable and therefore highly attractive technique. This Review surveys recent developments in electrochemical synthesis that will influence the future of this area.

Modern Electrochemical Aspects for the Synthesis of Value-Added Organic Products.

The use of electricity instead of stoichiometric amounts of oxidizers or reducing agents in synthesis is very appealing for economic and ecological reasons, and represents a major driving force for research efforts in this area. To use electron transfer at the electrode for a successful transformation in organic synthesis, the intermediate radical (cation/anion) has to be stabilized. Its combination with other approaches in organic chemistry or concepts of contemporary synthesis allows the establishment of powerful synthetic methods. The aim in the 21st Century will be to use as little fossil carbon as possible and, for this reason, the use of renewable sources is becoming increasingly important. The direct conversion of renewables, which have previously mainly been incinerated, is of increasing interest. This Review surveys many of the recent seminal important developments which will determine the future of this dynamic emerging field.

Metal- and Reagent-Free Dehydrogenative Formal Benzyl-Aryl Cross-Coupling by Anodic Activation in 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoropropan-2-ol.

A selective dehydrogenative electrochemical functionalization of benzylic positions that employs 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP) has been developed. The electrogenerated products are versatile intermediates for subsequent functionalizations as they act as masked benzylic cations that can be easily activated. Herein, we report a sustainable, scalable, and reagent- and metal-free dehydrogenative formal benzyl-aryl cross-coupling. Liberation of the benzylic cation was accomplished through the use of acid. Valuable diarylmethanes are accessible in the presence of aromatic nucleophiles. The direct application of electricity enables a safe and environmentally benign chemical transformation as oxidizers are replaced by electrons. A broad variety of different substrates and nucleophiles can be employed.

Direct electrochemical generation of organic carbonates by dehydrogenative coupling.

Organic carbonates are an important source for polycarbonate synthesis. However, their synthesis generally requires phosgene, sophisticated catalysts, harsh reaction conditions, or other highly reactive chemicals. We present the first direct electrochemical generation of mesityl methyl carbonate by C-H activation. Although this reaction pathway is still challenging concerning scope and efficiency, it outlines a new strategy for carbonate generation.

Insights into the Mechanism of Anodic N-N Bond Formation by Dehydrogenative Coupling.

The electrochemical synthesis of pyrazolidine-3,5-diones and benzoxazoles by N-N bond formation and C,O linkage, respectively, represents an easy access to medicinally relevant structures. Electrochemistry as a key technology ensures a safe and sustainable approach. We gained insights in the mechanism of these reactions by combining cyclovoltammetric and synthetic studies. The electron-transfer behavior of anilides and dianilides was studied and led to the following conclusion: The N-N bond formation involves a diradical as intermediate, whereas the benzoxazole formation is based on a cationic mechanism. Besides these studies, we developed a synthetic route to mixed dianilides as starting materials for the N-N coupling. The compatibility with valuable functionalities like triflates and mesylates for follow-up reactions as well as the comparison of different electrochemical set-ups also enhanced the applicability of this method.

Access to Pyrazolidin-3,5-diones through Anodic N-N Bond Formation.

Pyrazolidin-3,5-diones are important motifs in heterocyclic chemistry and are of high interest for pharmaceutical applications. In classic organic synthesis, the hydrazinic moiety is installed through condensation using the corresponding hydrazine building blocks. However, most N,N'-diaryl hydrazines are toxic and require upstream preparation owing to their low commercial availability. We present an alternative and sustainable synthetic approach to pyrazolidin-3,5-diones that employs readily accessible dianilides as precursors, which are anodically converted to furnish the N-N bond. The electroconversion is conducted in a simple undivided cell under constant-current conditions.

Electrochemical Formation of 3,5-Diimido-1,2-dithiolanes by Dehydrogenative Coupling.

A synthetic approach to the cyclic disulfide moiety of 3,5-diimido-1,2-dithiolane derivatives starting with readily available precursors including the electrochemical coupling of dithioanilides is developed. The electrochemical key step provides sustainable synthetic access in high yields, using a very simple electrolysis setup.

Electrochemical synthesis of benzoxazoles from anilides - a new approach to employ amidyl radical intermediates.

A novel electrochemical method for the synthesis of benzoxazoles from readily available anilides is reported. Various functionalities are tolerated and good yields can be achieved. By employing common electrode materials and a simple constant current protocol, this method is an attractive new alternative to conventional pathways.