Direct Electrochemical Ritter‐Type Amination of Electron‐Deficient Arenes

Abstract

Due to the high oxidation potentials of electron‐deficient aromatic hydrocarbons, it is difficult to achieve the direct oxidative C(sp²)−H bonds functionalizations of such substrates. Herein, we develop a Ritter‐type amination of electron‐deficient aromatics by merging electricity and sulfate. This practical and straightforward method provides a series of acetanilides from simple electron‐deficient arenes, including mono‐, di‐ and tri‐substituted arenes (22 examples, up to 75 %) with moderate to good yields under mild conditions. This method is characterized by cheap and readily available regents, atom and step economy.