Harnessing Electricity in Dehydrogenative Coupling: Transition Metal-Free Synthesis of Quinoline Derivatives

Abstract

An efficient strategy is demonstrated for the electrocatalyitc synthesis of 2-aryl quinoline derivatives via an anodic dehydrogenation of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol molecules followed by condensation with carbonyl compounds at room temperature. The current protocol requires only electricity as the green oxidant, provides the desired products in good to excellent yield and is compatible with a wide range of functional groups.