In this paper, a direct access to benzylic amines from imines and electron-deficient (hetero) arenes via electrochemical radical−radical cross-coupling is described. The reaction has the characteristics of the wide range of substrates, excellent functional group tolerance, metal-free and highly atom-economical. The insensitivity to air and moisture makes this synthetic strategy more efficient for the construction of various benzylic amine derivatives.

In this article, an electrochemical method for the direct synthesis of β-amino alcohols from imines and ketones is described. Mechanistic studies, including a radical trapping experiment, electron paramagnetic resonance, cyclic voltammetry, and divided-cell electrolysis experiment, support the radical-involved reductive cross coupling of imines with ketones at the cathode. The use of abundant and easily prepared starting materials, high atomand step-economy, and insensitivity to air and moisture make this synthetic strategy more efficient for the construction of various β-amino alcohol derivatives.

In this article, a direct access to β-amino nitriles from unactivated imines and alkyl nitriles by electrochemical radical-radical cross-coupling was described for the first time. The use of abundant and...