Tile Gieshoff

Electrifying Organic Synthesis

Abstract 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.

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.

Modern Electrochemical Aspects for the Synthesis of Value‐Added Organic Products

Abstract 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.

One-step synthesis of multi-alkyne functional hyperbranched polyglycerols by copolymerization of glycidyl propargyl ether and glycidol

By copolymerization of glycidol with the alkyne-containing oxirane monomer glycidyl propargyl ether (GPE), hyperbranched polyglycerol (hbPG) with a defined number of alkyne functionalities (up to 38%) can be obtained in a one-step procedure. The number of alkynes can be adjusted by the glycidol/GPE ratio to provide multi-alkyne functional hbPGs, maintaining the highly branched polyether structure. Interestingly, the acidic proton of the alkyne moiety does not interfere with the proton exchange mechanism during the polymerization of glycidol. By specific modification of the synthesis procedure, crosslinking reactions can be suppressed. The polymers exhibit molecular weights ranging from 1800 to 5500 g mol−1 (determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and SEC) with moderate polydispersities (Mw/Mn < 2.0, mostly <1.7). Using inverse gated 13C NMR spectroscopy and two-dimensional NMR techniques, the different repeat units of the copolymers can be assigned. The degree of branching value (DB) ranges from 0.58 to 0.50 for increasing GPE content, which is caused by an increased number of linear repeat units with increasing GPE content. The alkyne functionalities are readily available for derivatization reactions by copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne “click”-type cycloaddition reactions. The convenient synthesis and the broad applicability of the alkyne functionalities render these copolymers interesting building blocks for the preparation of complex polymer architectures by “click”-chemistry. This is exemplified by the attachment of hydrophobic azide end-functional polystyrene to yield amphiphilic branched copolymers containing exactly one hbPG block.

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.

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.

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.