Electrochemical study of catechol and some of 3-substituted catechols in the presence of 1,3-diethyl-2-thio-barbituric acid. Application to the electro-organic synthesis of new dispirothiopyrimidine derivatives

Electrochemical oxidation of catechol (1a), 3-methylcatechol (1b) and 3-methoxycatechol (1c) in the presence of 1,3-diethyl-2-thiobarbituric acid (3) as a nucleophile in aqueous solution has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that (1a–1c) participating in a 1,4 (Michael) addition reaction converts to dispirothiopyrimidine derivatives (6a–6c). The electrochemical synthesis of 6a–6c has been successfully performed in an undivided cell in good yield and purity.