Electrosynthesis of new quinone sulfonimide derivatives using a conventional batch and a new electrolyte-free flow cell

Abstract

The electrochemical synthesis of some new quinone sulfonimides (QSI) was achieved by the constant current oxidation of 4-aminophenyl ether (APE) in the presence of arylsulfinic acids in both electrochemical conventional batch and flow cells. Compared to the conventional cell, the use of the lab-made electrochemical flow cell has many advantages including no use of a supporting electrolyte, excellent yields and short reaction times. The synthesis led to new products in high purity and yield in a single pass under green conditions.