INDIRECT ELECTROCHEMICAL α-METHOXYLATION OF ALIPHATIC ETHERS AND ACETALS - REACTIVITY AND REGIOSELECTIVITY OF THE ANODIC OXIDATION USING TRIS(2,4-DIBROMOPHENYL)AMINE AS REDOX CATALYST

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)87786-3

The technically important α-methoxylation of aliphatic ethers and acetals to form mixed acetals respectively aldehydes or ortho-esters can be performed electrochemically at low potentials in methanol solution using an undivided cell and tris(2,4-dibromophenyl)amine as redox catalyst.The regioselectivity is usually considerably higher as compared with direct electrolysis in the abscence of a catalyst.Especially valuable is the method for the regioselective methoxylation of secondary carbon atoms in presence of primary or tertiary ones and of the acetal carbon in 1,3-dioxolanes.The redox catalyst is stable under the reaction conditions so that more than thousand turnovers could be obtained.