N-Hydroxyphthalimide-Mediated Electrochemical Iodination of Methylarenes and Comparison to Electron-Transfer-Initiated C–H Functionalization

An electrochemical method has been developed for selective benzylic iodination of methylarenes. The reactions feature the first use of N-hydroxyphthalimide as an electrochemical mediator for C-H oxidation to nonoxygenated products. The method provides the basis for direct (in situ) or sequential benzylation of diverse nucleophiles using methylarenes as the alkylating agent. The hydrogen-atom transfer mechanism for C-H iodination allows C-H oxidation to proceed with minimal dependence on the substrate electronic properties and at electrode potentials 0.5-1.2 V lower than that of direct electrochemical C-H oxidation.