Producing p‐tolylmethanol derivatives through an eco‐friendly electro‐organic method: A highly efficient Grignard reaction utilizing a magnesium electrode

Abstract

This research introduces an eco‐friendly and innovative technique for efficiently producing p‐tolylmethanol derivatives 4(a–k) using electro‐organic synthesis based on the Grignard reaction. By employing electrochemical methods, this approach offers several advantages, including enhanced reaction efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The process involves the electrochemical generation of the Grignard reagent, followed by its reaction with appropriate substrates to yield the desired p‐tolylmethanol derivatives. Our team optimized various reaction parameters like choice of solvent, electrode material, and reaction conditions to achieve high yields and selectivity. The developed electro‐organic method demonstrated outstanding efficiency and presents a fresh and environmentally conscious approach to synthesizing p‐tolylmethanol derivatives from benzaldehyde 1(a–e) and bromobenzene 2(a–h) via the Grignard reaction, yielding excellent results (85–93%). The resulting compounds were comprehensively characterized using melting point, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and CHN analysis to verify their structures. This electro‐organic approach holds significant potential as a sustainable strategy for synthesizing valuable organic compounds.