Electrochemical amidochlorination between low-cost styrenes and amides

Abstract

2-chloroalkylamines are essential motifs in biologically active molecules and a class of amphoteric molecules which play an important role in the synthesis of drugs and agrochemicals. Aminochlorination of easily accessible alkenes is one of the most desirable transformations for important 2-chloroalkylamines. However, their preparation from cheap and readily available amides remains challenging. Here, we report an electrochemical strategy to achieve aminochlorination between low-cost styrenes and amides without additional chlorinated reagent. The reaction proceeds in DCE under mild conditions, tolerates a large scope of styrenes and amides in high yields. Mechanistic studies show that DCE can effectively supply chlorine anions under electrochemical conditions, which provides a new way of chlorination.