Electrochemical Coupling of Activated Olefins and Alkyl Dihalides: Formation of Cyclic Compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00295a048

The electrochemical coupling of dimethyl maleate, methyl cinnamate, 4-phenyl-3-buten-2-one, or methyl acrylate with dibromomethane, 1,3-dibromopropane, 1,4-dibromobutane or other substituted alkyl dihalogenides gave satisfactory yields of cyclic products.The reactions were performed in an undivided cell fitted with a sacrificial aluminum anode, in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), at constant current, and at room temperature.The role of the anodically generated metallic ions in this cyclocondensation has been evidenced.