Electro‐oxidative Methylation of 2‐Isocyanobiaryls Using N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as Carbon Source: Synthesis of 6‐Methylphenanthridines

This study reported the synthesis of 6-methylphenanthridines from 2-isocyanobiaryls using dimethylformamide (DMF) as a methyl carbon souce. The reactions were conducted in open-air atmosphere using electrochemical process at ambient temperature.

Abstract

A benign electrochemical method to access 6-methylphenanthridines from 2-isocyanobiaryls using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a methyl source is reported. The protocol operates at ambient temperature without the need for harmful methylating reagents. Mechanistic studies suggested that DMF delivered a methylene synthon, followed by reduction at the cathode and tautomerization. The method offers environmental benefits by avoiding metal-based reagents and harsh conditions.

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