Sustainable electrocatalytic oxidation of N-alkylamides to acyclic imides using H2O

Abstract

The synthesis of imides holds significant importance in various scientific disciplines and industrial applications due to their extensive use in biomolecules, inorganic compounds, and organic compounds. Traditional methods for imide synthesis often rely on the use of toxic or expensive oxidizing agents, limiting their sustainability and practicality. Herein, we present a green and environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of imides from N-alkylamides using electrocatalytic oxidation with H₂O as the green oxygen source. This sustainable and atom-efficient approach outperforms traditional methods by eliminating the need for toxic or expensive oxidants while simultaneously achieving high yields under mild reaction conditions. The protocol exhibits broad substrate compatibility, enabling the transformation of a wide range of N-alkyl (methyl, ethyl and cyclopropyl) amides into imides. The resulting imide products can serve as valuable building blocks for the synthesis of biologically relevant 1,2,4-triazole compounds. Furthermore, the practicality of this method is demonstrated through a gram-scale reaction, affirming its efficiency and potential for industrial applications. Our work presents a sustainable and versatile strategy for imide synthesis, aligning with green chemistry principles and sustainable manufacturing practices.