Electrochemical Hydroxylation of α‐Bromoacetophenones: Access to α‐Hydroxyacetophenones

Abstract

Herein, a new method has been developed for the synthesis of various α‐hydroxyacetophenones via an electro‐oxidation process. It involves electrocatalytic hydroxylation via debromination of C(sp3)‐Br bond. Here, simultaneous breaking of carbon‐bromine (C‐Br) bond and formation of a new carbon‐oxygen (C‐O) bond has been achieved through electrolysis of H2O using binary mixture of water and DMSO. The protocol features easy performance, oxidant and base‐free mild conditions and short reaction time.