An efficient electrochemical method for the atom economical synthesis of some benzoxazole derivatives

Electrochemical synthesis of some 2-arylbenzoxazoles were directly carried out via the electrochemical oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol in the presence of benzylamines without using any catalyst under mild and green conditions. The results show that electrogenerated 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone participates in the reaction with benzylamine derivatives and, via the ECCE mechanism electron transfer + chemical reaction (imine formation) + chemical reaction (cyclization) + electron transfer, converts to the corresponding benzoxazole derivatives. In this work, some benzoxazole derivatives with high yields in aqueous solutions, without toxic reagents and solvents at a carbon electrode using an environmentally friendly novel method, are provided.