Electrocatalytic Oxidative Cleavage of Electron-Deficient Substituted Stilbenes in Acetonitrile−Water Employing a New High Oxidation Potential Electrocatalyst. An Electrochemical Equivalent of Ozonolysis

A series of symmetrical and unsymmetrical stilbenes bearing two or more strong electron-withdrawing groups were oxidatively cleaved to the corresponding aldehydes in high yield by electrocatalytic anodic oxidation in aqueous acetonitrile employing a new high oxidation potential triphenylamine electrocatalyst. The oxidations apparently involve the corresponding 1,2-diols, which are also converted to aldehydes in high yield under the same conditions.