The electrolytic methods are well suited to clean synthesis of organic chemicals since the use of electrons as the reagent limits the formation of byproducts. Room temperature ionic liquids can replace both volatile organic solvents and supporting electrolytes used in electrosynthesis increasing its experimental appeal. In this project, we studied the electrochemical pinacol coupling of aldehydes and ketones using a mixture of imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquid and water as the solvent. The electrolysis was performed in an undivided electrochemical cell using a platinum cathode and a sacrificial tin anode. Following electrolysis, the products were separated, purified and structures were confirmed by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The pinacol products were obtained in good to high yields with moderate to high diastereoselectivities. The ionic liquid can be recycled and successfully reused in these reactions.

Electrochemical pinacol coupling of carbonyl compounds in a mixture of ionic liquid and water

245th National Meeting (2013)

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