Electrochemical 1,2-hydrogen atom transfer functionalizations of N-(benzyloxy)phthalimides

Abstract

We report a straightforward, catalyst-free method for the cathodic benzylic C–H hydroxyalkylation/arylation of N-(alkyloxy)phthalimides with ketones or cyanopyridines. The reaction is driven by an electrochemically induced 1,2-hydrogen atom transfer involving alkoxy radicals generated by O–N bond cleavage. This protocol provides an efficient approach for the synthesis of a wide range of valuable unsymmetrical 1,2-diols and diarylmethanols.