Anodic Cleavage of Several Ketone N-Phenylsemicarbazones into Methyl N-Phenylcarbamate and the Corresponding Dimethyl Acetals

Several ketone N-phenylsemicarbazones were electrooxidized in the presence of potassium iodide and a base using methanol as the solvent to give nearly commensurate amounts of methyl N-phenylcarbamate and the corresponding dimethyl acetals. Continuous evolution of gaseous nitrogen was observed from the anolyte during the electrooxidation. The reactions were carried out under very mild reaction conditions and are presumed to proceed through a four-electron oxidation process, in which the iodide ion plays an important role as an electron carrier.