Electrochemical reductive acylation of (η 6-arene)Cr(CO) 3 complexes and (benzophenone)[Cr(CO) 3] 2

Abstract

The electrochemical reductive acylation of (benzophenone)Cr(CO) 3 and (benzophenone) [Cr(CO) 3] 2 has been performed in DMF, by electrochemical reduction of complexed ketones in the presence of acetic and benzoic anhydride in excess. Three complexed benzhydryl esters ArCH(OCOR)PhCr(CO) 3, (Ar = Ph, R = Me: Ar = PhCr(CO) 3, R = Me; Ar = PhCr(CO) 3, R = Ph) were obtained in 46–57.5% yields after purification. Electrochemical reduction of (diphenylmethane)Cr(CO) 3 in the presence of acetic anhydride in excess leads to m-benzyl acetophenone.