Reductive Coupling of Aromatic Aldehydes and Ketones Under Electrochemical Conditions

Reductive coupling of o -substituted carbonyl compounds and m -substituted carbonyl compounds by the direct transfer of electron to carbonyl group respectively gave 1-(4-(1-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl/methyl)phenyl)ethanones/methanones and 2,3-bis(3-substitutedphenyl)butane/ethane-2,3-diols. 4-Methoxyacetophenone surprisingly gave 4-methoxybenzoic acid as oxidation product. Even acetophenone conjugated with alkyne group afforded interesting reductive addition product. Finally, imine also furnished reductively coupled diamino compound. Probable mechanisms for the formation of products is proposed.