Synthesis of N,N‐Disubstituted Hydrazines by Electrocatalytic Addition of Hydrazines to α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds

Abstract

AbstractA strategy for the synthesis of N,N‐disubstituted hydrazines via the electrocatalytic addition of hydrazine to α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds is reported. The reaction was carried out under constant current electrolytic conditions in an undivided cell. Using this methodology, various N,N‐disubstituted hydrazines were prepared in 57–94% yield in 40 minutes. By adding cyclohexanone and acetic acid to the reaction mixture of N,N‐disubstituted hydrazines and heating for 2 hours, a one‐pot synthesis of N‐substituted indoles was also developed. Furthermore, based on cyclic voltammetry and control experiments, a plausible mechanism involving a radical pathway is proposed.