First example of organocatalysis by cathodic N-heterocyclic carbene generation and accumulation using a divided electrochemical flow cell

• Daniele Rocco,
• Ana A. Folgueiras-Amador,
• Richard C. D. Brown and
• Marta Feroci

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2022, 18, 979–990, doi:10.3762/bjoc.18.98

• used as organocatalyst in two classical umpolung reactions of cinnamaldehyde: its cyclodimerization and its oxidative esterification. Keywords: Breslow intermediate; cathodic reduction; flow electrochemistry; N-heterocyclic carbene; oxidative esterification; Introduction Ionic liquids (ILs) are well

• as slow rates of conversion, low selectivity and reproducibility [26]. As a matter of fact, these problems can be addressed by using flow electrochemistry, usually achieving higher rates of conversion of reagents to products [27]. Moreover, electrochemical flow cells can have a very small gap between

• the electrodes so that lower concentrations of supporting electrolytes are needed to provide sufficient conductivity [28]. Applications of flow electrochemistry reported in the literature are mainly devoted to anodic oxidations, carried out in undivided cells, in which the counter electrode reaction

The Shono-type electroorganic oxidation of unfunctionalised amides. Carbon–carbon bond formation via electrogenerated N-acyliminium ions

• Alan M. Jones and
• Craig E. Banks

Beilstein J. Org. Chem. 2014, 10, 3056–3072, doi:10.3762/bjoc.10.323

• ]. Examples of Phe7–Phe8 mimics prepared using an electrochemical approach [93]. Preparation of arginine mimics employing an electrooxidation step [96]. Preparation of chiral cyclic amino acids [20]. Two-step preparation of Nazlinine 117 using Shono flow electrochemistry [101]. Acknowledgements The authors