Electrochemically Promoted Three-Component Reaction to N-Sulfonyl Amidines

Org Lett. 2024 Jan 12;26(1):193-197. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c03820. Epub 2023 Dec 26.

Abstract

In this study, a multicomponent reaction via the Mannich intermediate was developed using methanol, secondary amine, and sulfonamide as starting materials. This method uses methanol as a green C1 source. The substrate scope is wide, and the yield is good. The mechanistic study shows that methanol generates formaldehyde under electrochemical conditions, and sulfonyl amidine as a nucleophile reacts with Schiff base intermediates to form N-sulfonyl amidine in a single step.