An efficient electrochemical method for synthesis of (1h‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylthio)benzen‐1,2‐diol derivatives

Electrochemical oxidation of catechols ( 1a–c ) has been studied in the presence of 3‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 3 ) as a nucleophile in water/acetonitrile (90/10) solutions. The results revealed that the quinones derived from catechols ( 1a–c ) participate in the Michael addition reactions with anion of 3‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 3 ) and are converted to the corresponding (1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylthio)benzen‐1,2‐diol derivatives ( 4a–c ). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:644–649, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20359