Metal- and Reagent-Free Anodic Dehydrogenative Cross-Coupling of Naphthylamines with Phenols

The first electrochemical dehydrogenative anodic cross-coupling of naphthylamines with phenols was established to access a broad variety of non-symmetrical, hetero-bidentate N,O-biaryl motifs. By anodic oxidation, we provide a sustainable and inherently safe method, which avoids the need for pre-functionalization of the starting materials. Hence, the elaborated electrochemical protocol simplifies the synthesis of the desired C-1-symmetrical biaryls drastically. Furthermore, the use of electricity as a reagent contributes to the idea of green chemistry as metal catalysts and stoichiometric oxidizers are omitted.