Reaction of electrochemically generated triphenylphosphine radical cation with amides and ureas.

Constant-current electrolysis of triphenylphosphine in dichloromethane in the presence of primary amides and N, N'-disubstituted ureas resulted in the formation of nitriles and carbodiimides, respectively. Dehydrosulfurization of thiobenzamide and N, N'-dicyclohexylthiourea was also effected by electrolysis under the same conditions, but probably through mechanisms different from those of dehydration of the corresponding amide and urea.