Reductive coupling of o-substituted carbonyl compounds and m-substituted carbonyl compounds by the direct transfer of electron to carbonyl group respectively gave 1-(4-(1-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl/methyl)phenyl)ethanones/methanones and 2,3-bis(3-substitutedphenyl)butane/ethane-2,3-diols. 4-Methoxyacetophenone surprisingly gave 4-methoxybenzoic acid as oxidation product. Even acetophenone conjugated with alkyne group afforded interesting reductive addition product. Finally, imine also furnished reductively coupled diamino compound. Probable mechanisms for the formation of products is proposed. (c) 2020 The Electrochemical Society ("ECS"). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited.
Reduction of imines was performed with zinc powder in 5% aq NaOH solutionwithout any organic solvents under mild conditions, and the corresponding amines were obtained in good yields.