Electrochemically enabled decyanative C(sp3)–H oxygenation of N-cyanomethylamines to formamides

Abstract

Selective oxygenation of C(sp³)–H bonds adjacent to nitrogen atoms is a highly attractive strategy for synthesizing various formamide derivatives while preserving the substrate skeletons. Herein, an environmentally benign electrochemically enabled decyanative C(sp³)–H oxygenation of N-cyanomethylamines using H₂O as a carbonyl oxygen atom source is described, leading to the synthesis of a large class of formamides in good to excellent yields with a broad substrate scope under metal- and oxidant-free conditions. This electrochemical technology highlights the facile incorporation of N-formyl into some important bioactive molecules.