A green approach for the electroorganic synthesis of 2‑[(4‑methyl‑2‑pyridyl)amino]‑1,4‑benzenediol derivatives in aqueous solution

Abstract

The electrochemical synthesis of some new 2-[(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)amino)-1,4-benzenediol derivatives was performed via the electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinones in the presence of 2-amino-4-methylpyridine in an aqueous solution. The results demonstrate that electrogenerated p-benzoquinone participated in the Michael-type addition reaction via an electrochemical–chemical (EC) reaction mechanism pathway and converted to the corresponding 2-[(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)amino)-1,4-benzenediol derivatives. These new compounds have been synthesized in high yields and purity without using any toxic reagents or catalyst at the surface of carbon electrode.