Electrochemical-induced solvent-tuned selective transfer hydrogenation of imidazopyridines with carbazates as hydrogen donors

Abstract

A solvent-tuned electrochemical protocol for the selective transfer hydrogenation of imidazopyridines using carbazates as hydrogen donors has been developed. This electrosynthesis strategy provides a more sustainable and greener way to access partially saturated N-heterocycles by avoiding traditionally employed transition metal catalysts and high-pressure hydrogen. Remarkably, the method is scalable and applicable to late-stage functionalization of complex molecules. A possible mechanism has been proposed on the basis of radical-trapping and cyclic voltammetry experiments.