Electrocatalytic Reduction of Benzal Chloride by Cobalt(I)(salen). A Mechanistic Investigation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00070a030

Benzal chloride (6) is converted to a mixture consisting primarily of cis- and trans-stilbene (12) by the action of electrochemically-generated cobalt(I)(salen)(1-) (5).The process involves a saquence involving electrocatalytic conversion of benzal chloride to a mixture of the stereoisomeric 1,2-dichloro-1,2-diphenylethanes (10), followed by electrocatalyzed conversion of the latter to 12.Voltammograms of Co(II)(salen) (4) in the presence of varying amounts of 6 exhibit peaks both before and after that due to reduction of 4.The voltammetric data and other chemical evidence is interpreted in light of previously-suggested mechanism for stilbene formation.