Investigation of Electrochemically Induced Michael Addition Reactions of Ortho- and Para-banzoquinones with 2-Mercaptobenzimidazole: Application to Electrosynthesis

Electrochemical oxidation of hydroquinone and catechol derivatives (1a-1d) has been studied in the presence of 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (3) as a nucleophile in water/acetonitrile (85/15, v/v) solutions using cyclic voltammetry. Our results indicate that electrogenerated benzoquinone participated in a Michael addition reaction with 2- mercaptobenzimidazole (3) and via an EC mechanism were converted to the corresponding thioimidazole compounds. These products were obtained in good yields using a carbon electrode in an undivided cell.