| Abstract: | Electrochemical oxidation of 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid ( 1 ) and 4‐tert‐butylcatechol ( 5 ) in the presence of 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2‐pyrone ( 2 ) as nucleophile in aqueous solution has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and controlled‐potential coulometry. The results indicate that 1 via Michael reaction under electro‐decarboxylation reaction converts to heterocyclic compound 4 , and the quinone derived from 4‐tert‐butylcatechol ( 5 ) participates in Michael reaction with 2 and through an ECE mechanism converts to the corresponding o‐quinone ( 6a ). The electrochemical synthesis of 4 and 6a has been successfully performed in an undivided cell. |
