Electrochemically Oxidative C-C Bond Cleavage of Alkylarenes for Anilines Synthesis

In contrast to the recent breakthrough in electrochemical C-H aminations, the electrochemically oxidative C-N bond formation through a C-C bond cleavage is rarely studied. This work describes an electrochemical C-C amination of alkylarenes for the efficient synthesis of versatile anilines, as well as carbonyl compounds. With the cheap and durable graphite plates as electrodes, and in a simple undivided cell, this protocol is much more economical with the consumption of electricity.