Electrochemically Promoted Transesterification Reaction of Glycine Derivatives

In an undivided cell, using N-phenylglycine ethyl ester as the model substrate, the reaction conditions were optimized.The results showed that the optimal reaction conditions were at room temperature and air condition, using nickel and graphite plate as anode and cathode materials respectively, 2.0 equiv. of NaBr as the electrolyte, ethylene glycol (EG)/dimethyl-acetamide (DMA) (VV31) as the mixed solvent, and reacting under 6 mA constant current for 3 h.The transesterification reaction could afford various corresponding glycine derivatives up to 88% yield.This mild reaction condition without adding any transition metal, acid or base, was complied with the concept of green chemistry.In addition, 1.32 g of esterification products was successfully synthesized in a gram scale experiment, which also demonstrated the potential value of electrochemical transesterification of glycine derivatives.