Electrochemical N-acylation synthesis of amides under aqueous conditions

Abstract

An electrochemical N-acylation of carboxylic acids with amines was reported. The sustainable TBAB electrocatalysis proceeded with excellent chemoselectivity and positional selectivity, and with ample scope, allowing electrochemical N-acylation under mild reaction conditions at room temperature in water. Moreover, the synthetic utility of the current method is demonstrated by the synthesis of melatonin.