ElectroreductiveN-Debenzylation of Aminesand Amide Derivatives in an Undivided Cell
Abstract Direct electroreductive N-debenzylation of structurally diverse N-benzyl compounds was achieved in an undivided cell using a magnesium anode and carbon-felt cathode. Amines, N-heterocycles, amides, carbamates, ureas, lactams, and cyclic ureas were converted to the corresponding N–H products at room temperature without palladium catalysts or H2. The protocol exhibits broad functional-group tolerance and chemoselectively cleaves benzylic C–N bonds while preserving carbonyl frameworks, enabling late-stage deprotection of densely functionalized bioactive-molecule derivatives.
Authors
- Feng Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0707-8575)
- Yi Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1758-5829)
- Zihan Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8099-5081)
- He Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2831-2236)
- Chenghui Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4639-7114)
- Weixiao Ji
- Hao Guo
- Tianyi Zhang
- Xin Li
- Siping Pang
Institutions
- Aviation Industry Corporation of China (China) (CN)
- Beijing Institute of Technology (CN)
- Beijing Electronic Science and Technology Institute (CN)
- Beijing Research Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Organic Letters
- Published
- 2026-08-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.6c02722
- Primary Topic
- Radical Photochemical Reactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00