Synthetic aspects of the electrochemical oxidation of 4-methyl anisole

Abstract

4-methyl anisole is oxidized, in a first stage to produce a cation radical that undergoes deprotonation. Although a single oxidation peak is reported in literature corresponding to the loss of two electrons, we have been able to split it into a couple of peaks for one electron each. The cation radical is deprotonated to form a neutral radical which oxidizes to a cationic species. Two kind of reactions can occur, depending upon the reaction conditions: Whether a nucleophylic attack ofthe acetonitrile on the intermediate species, or polymerization of 4-methyl anisole.

Keywords

• 4-methyl anisole
• anodic oxidation
• electrooxidation
• p-methoxy toluene