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Updated: Sep 5, 2025

Continuous Flow Chemistry: Reaction of Diphenyldiazomethane with p-Nitrobenzoic Acid
Published on: November 15, 2017
Electrochemical aromatic C-H hydroxylation in continuous flow
Hao Long1,2, Tian-Sheng Chen1, Jinshuai Song3
1State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, 361005, Xiamen, China.
Abstract:
The direct hydroxylation of arene C-H bonds is a highly sought-after transformation but remains an unsolved challenge due to the difficulty in efficient and regioselective C-H oxygenation and high reactivity of the phenolic products leading to overoxidation. Herein we report electrochemical C-H hydroxylation of arenes in continuous flow for the synthesis of phenols. The method is characterized by broad scope (compatible with arenes of diverse electronic properties), mild conditions without any catalysts or chemical oxidants, and excellent scalability as demonstrated by the continuous production of 1 mol (204 grams) of one of the phenol products.
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