Recyclable electrochemical allylation in aqueous ZnCl2medium: synthesis and reactivity of a wire-shaped nano zinc architecture

Abstract

Electrochemistry is used in an aqueous allylation reaction using zinc chloride as the reagent. A unit galvanic cell using a beaker containing an aqueous zinc chloride solution, zinc rod, TCO glass plate and connecting copper wire has been designed. Instead of using a connecting copper wire, an external bias can be used for applying voltage from the outside. The zinc rod served as a self-decaying anode and the TCO glass substrate as the cathode. During the process, a wire-shaped nano zinc architecture was formed from zinc chloride on the cathode. Wire-shaped nano zinc is the active reagent for the allylation of aldehydes or imines. The corresponding homoallylic alcohols or amines are prepared in good yields. Both the zinc salts and water can be recycled.