A promising green method in cyclization reaction. Oxidation of 3-methylcatechol in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline

Electrochemical oxidation of 3-methylcatechol as a model compound has been studied in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline as a bi-dentate nucleophile in water/acetonitrile (70/30, v/v) solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results revealed that anodically generated 3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-dione participates in inter and intramolecular Michael addition reactions with 1,10-phenanthroline and via an ECEC pathway converts to the corresponding heterocyclic compound. The present work has led to the development of a facile and one-pot method with high atom economy under ambient conditions and in an undivided cell using a carbon electrode.