Electrochemical Formal Amidation of Benzyl Halides via Radical-Polar Crossover.

A straightforward strategy for the electrochemical amidation of benzyl halides via radical-polar crossover has been developed. The reaction was carried out with acetonitrile as both the solvent and the amidation reagent and (PhS)2 as a "radical shuttle". Various N-substituted acetamide products can be afforded from benzyl halides under metal- and oxidant-free electrochemical conditions. This method involved a reduction pathway and employed paired electrolysis, featuring high electron economy. Meanwhile, it also has the features of simple operation and mild reaction conditions.