Electrochemical synthesis of 6-amino-5-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) pyrimidine

Electrochemical oxidation of several catechols is studied in the presence of 4(6)-aminouracil (3a) and 6-amino-1,3-dimethyl uracil (3b) as nucleophiles in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results reveal that quinones derived from catechols participate in Michael additions with 3a and 3b to give the corresponding catecholamine derivatives via an electron transfer followed by chemical reaction (EC) mechanistic pathway in good yields and purities.