Electrochemical oxidation of catechols in the presence of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone

Electrochemical oxidation of catechols () has been studied in the presence of 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone () as nucleophile in aqueous solution, using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the quinones derived from catechols () participate in Michael addition reactions with to form the corresponding heterocyclic compounds (). In this work we have proposed a mechanism for the electrode process. The electrochemical synthesis of has been successfully performed on carbon rod electrodes and in an undivided cell.