First aromatic ring acetamidation by anodic oxidation

Anodic oxidation of 1-(trifluoromethyl)benzene in dry acetonitrile/Bu4NBF4 under constant potential conditions led to 2-(trifluoromethyl) acetanilide in 86% yield. Other experimental conditions, as the use of constant current or the change in the supporting electrolyte were considered.

Reduction of 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds and of their N-phenylimine derivatives by sodium cyanide under aprotic conditions

Some aromatic 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds, i.e. 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, acenaphthenequinone and benzil, and their corresponding N-phenyl monoimines, have been reduced, using dry acetonitrile as the solvent, in the presence of sodium cyanide as a reducing agent. Comparative potentiostatic preparative-scale electrolysis is described.