Electrochemically Oxidative C–C Bond Cleavage of Alkylarenes for Anilines Synthesis

In contrast to the recent breakthrough in electrochemical C–H aminations, the electrochemically oxidative C–N bond formation through a C–C bond cleavage is rarely studied. This work describes an electrochemical C–C amination of alkylarenes for the efficient synthesis of versatile anilines, as well as carbonyl compounds. With the cheap and durable graphite plates as electrodes, and in a simple undivided cell, this protocol is much more economical with the consumption of electricity.