Electrochemical 1,4-reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones with methanol and ammonium chloride as hydrogen sources

Abstract

A sustainable, chemoselective 1,4-reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones by means of an electrochemical method is presented, wherein the extremely inexpensive ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is applied as the only additive. The reaction proceeds smoothly in the air at ambient temperature. Mechanistic studies reveal that both NH₄Cl and solvent methanol work as hydrogen donors.