Electrochemical Oxidation of 4-Methylcatechol in the Presence of β-Diketones

Electrochemical oxidation of 4-methlylcatechol (1) in the presence of, benzoylacetone (2), dibenzoylmethane (3), 3-hydroxy-1H-phenalen-1-one (4), acetylacetone (5), dimedone (6), and 2-acetylcyclohexanone (7) as nucleophiles has been studied in detail by cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the electrochemically generated quinone participates in Michael addition reaction with 2-7 via various mechanisms to produce new organic Compounds. Furthermore, Our Studies show that the structure of intermediates play a crucial role in product selectivity Under controlled-potential condition. Various types of products were also obtained through the selective oxidation at the surface of a carbon electrode in an undivided cell.