Electrochemical Oxidative C-H Cyanation of Quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with TMSCN

Both quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones and nitriles are valuable organic compounds, and it is an interesting task to introduce cyano into quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones. Herein a regioselective C-H cyanation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was developed with a nucleophilic cyano source TMSCN under electrochemical oxidative conditions. This process allowed the synthesis of C3 cyanated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones in moderate to excellent yields in the absence of transition-metal catalysts and organic hydroperoxides.

Automated summary

A new method for regioselective C-H cyanation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones was developed using a nucleophilic cyano source TMSCN under electrochemical oxidative conditions. The process allowed for the synthesis of C3 cyanated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones in moderate to excellent yields without the need for transition-metal catalysts and organic hydroperoxides.