Electroreductive 4-pyridylation of unsaturated compounds using gaseous ammonia as a hydrogen source

Electrochemical radical-cross-coupling with ammonia as a terminal reductant is reported in the reactions of alpha-Keto esters, beta-keto esters, alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, and alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones with 4-CN pyridine. More than 50 corresponding pyridylation products were synthesized under constant current conditions using thiourea as an essential promoter to activate the intermediate derived from 4-CN pyridine.

Automated summary

This study reports an electrochemical radical-cross-coupling reaction using ammonia as a terminal reductant in the reactions between various esters and ketones with 4-CN pyridine. More than 50 pyridylation products were synthesized using constant current conditions and thiourea as a promoter to activate the intermediate derived from 4-CN pyridine.