Electrochemical Hydroxylation of α-Bromoacetophenones: Access to α-Hydroxyacetophenones

Abstract

Herein, a new method has been developed for the synthesis of various α-hydroxyacetophenones via an electro-oxidation process. It involves electrocatalytic hydroxylation via debromination of C(sp3)−Br bond. Here, simultaneous breaking of carbon-bromine (C−Br) bond and formation of a new carbon-oxygen (C−O) bond has been achieved through electrolysis of H2O using binary mixture of water and DMSO. The protocol features easy performance, oxidant and base-free mild conditions and short reaction time. © 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.