Electrochemical α‐Functionalization of N‐Aryl‐Activated Tertiary Amines

Abstract

Numerous appropriately substituted pyridyl or phenyl groups serve as a particularly advantageous activation motif for the electrochemical oxidation of amines. Such groups enable a general, mild method for the electrochemical α‐functionalization of tertiary amines across numerous activating groups and amine scaffolds. Notably, the method accommodates an unprecedented range of nucleophile classes, allowing for the introduction of diverse functional groups to the readily prepared amine substrates. The utility of this method is then demonstrated through applications to unsymmetrical bisfunctionalization, site‐selective functionalization of N‐pyridyl amines vs. other activated amines, a formal synthesis of ivosidenib and the diversification of FDA‐approved drugs or natural product substrates.