Anodic Oxidation of Heterocyclic Compounds

The electrochemical methoxylation of furans to give the corresponding dimethoxy-dihydrofurans was discovered by Clauson-Kaas 205 in 1955. This reaction is now carried out industrially by BASF 206 and Otsuka 192). 

This very elegant reaction was also used on the laboratory scale for the synthesis of biocides (Henkel2l0 ), 

The anodic methoxylation of isochromans was first studied at BASF 213). This leads to alkoxyisochromans, which can be used for the synthesis of fungicides. 

The anodic acetoxylation of N-acylindoles was applied by Mitsui Petrochem. 214 215) to the synthesis of dye intermediates. 

Reilly 216) carries out the electrochemical oxidation of 2-methylpyridine to picolinic acid in divided cells on the industrial scale. 

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