Metal‐Free Electrochemical [3+2] Cycloaddition between α‐Amino Carbonyls and Tosylmethyl Isocyanide en route to Substituted Imidazoles

Abstract

AbstractThe established strategy unveils a metal and mediator‐free electrochemical [3+2] cycloaddition approach among α‐amino carbonyls and tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) fabricating substituted imidazole scaffolds. Implementation of electro‐redox conditions on this cycloaddition approach eliminates the essential requirement of transition metal catalysts and chemical oxidants. A wide variety of different functionalities are well tolerated under this reaction condition, contributing to the substrate scope and applicability. Several control experiments and cyclic voltammetry studies suggest an electro‐oxidation triggered successive C−C and C−N bond formations followed by rapid aromatization for constructing the five‐membered core structure.