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Electrochemical Reduction of Phenylpropadiene at Mercury Cathodes in Dimethylformamide: Isomerization of the Allene to 1-Phenyl-1-Propyne
Journal of Organic Chemistry (1987)
  • Tsu-yu Raymond Chen, Indiana University - Bloomington
  • Mark R. Anderson, Kennesaw State University
  • Steven Grossman, Indiana University - Bloomington
  • Dennis G. Peters, Indiana University - Bloomington
Abstract

Polarograms and cyclic voltammograms exhibit two waves for reduction of phenylpropadiene at a mercury electrode in dimethylformamide containing tetra-n-butylammonium perchlorate, the f i t wave signals reduction of phenylpropadiene to 1-phenyl-1-propene and the second wave is attributable to reduction of 1-phenyl-1-propene to 1-phenylpropane. However, the fmt wave is abnormally small because phenylpropadiene undergoes substantial rearrangement to 1-phenyl-1-propyne, which is reducible to 1-phenylpropane at nearly the same potential as 1-phenyl-1-propene. Controlled-potential electrolyses of phenylpropadiene, 1-phenyl-1-propene, and 1-phenyl-1-propyne at mercury pool cathodes have verified the processes elucidated by means of polarography and cyclic voltammetry. In the presence of diethyl malonate (a proton donor), base-catalyzed isomerization of phenylpropadiene to 1-phenyl-1-propyne is blocked totally; at a potential corresponding to the first wave for reduction of phenylpropadiene, electrolysis products are trans-1-phenyl-1-propene, cis-1-phenyl-1-propene, and l-phenyl-2-propene, whereas 1-phenylpropane and 1-phenyl-2-propene are obtained at a potential on the second reduction wave for phenylpropadiene.

Disciplines
Publication Date
April, 1987
Citation Information
Tsu-yu Raymond Chen, Mark R. Anderson, Steven Grossman and Dennis G. Peters. "Electrochemical Reduction of Phenylpropadiene at Mercury Cathodes in Dimethylformamide: Isomerization of the Allene to 1-Phenyl-1-Propyne" Journal of Organic Chemistry Vol. 52 Iss. 7 (1987)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mark_anderson1/54/