The Gewald reaction is a key method for synthesizing 2‐aminothiophenes, which are valuable scaffolds in drug discovery. Here, we report a practical electrochemical approach to the Gewald reaction using an undivided cell setup in the IKA ElectraSyn 2.0 reactor. Key parameters, including electrode materials, electrolyte type, current, and electron equivalents, were systematically investigated to maximize yields. The optimized protocol demonstrated broad substrate scope, tolerating diverse functional groups and ring systems. Late‐stage functionalization and a one‐pot transformation were achieved on complex molecules, and the method was successfully applied to the synthesis of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug tinoridine. This robust, scalable, and sustainable electrochemical strategy offers a convenient and complementary method to traditional Gewald reactions, expanding access to 2‐aminothiophenes for medicinal chemistry.
Sirocchi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.