Novel Triarylimidazole Redox Catalysts: Synthesis, Electrochemical Properties, and Applicability to Electrooxidative C-H Activation

A new class of metal-free, easy to synthesize redox catalysts based on a triarylimidazole framework is described. With those synthesized thus far, one can access a potential range of ca. 410 mV. They proved to be useful mediators for the activation of benzylic C-H bonds under mild conditions.