Electrochemically induced Henry reaction of nitromethane and carbonyl compounds

The electrolysis of carbonyl compounds and nitromethane in methanol or in the mixture of methanol and DMF in an undivided cell results in the formation of corresponding beta-nitroalcohols in 60-75% yields. Thus, the simple electrocatalytic system can produce under mild conditions an electrochemically induced Henry reaction. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.