Electrocatalytic conversion of ω-azido carboxylic acids to 1-pyrrolines via a combined process of oxidative decarboxylation and intramolecular Schmidt rearrangement

Abstract

1-Pyrrolines constitute a significant group of organic intermediates, and we present here an electrocatalytic method for their synthesis. Electrochemical oxidation of ω-azido carboxylic acids followed by an intramolecular Schmidt reaction was explored, and 26 1-pyrrolines were produced in up to 93% yield under an air atmosphere and in an undivided cell, where no external oxidants or catalysts were employed.