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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Electrochemically and Bioelectrochemically Induced Ammonium Recovery
Published on: January 22, 2015
Electroreductive N-Debenzylation of Amines and Amide Derivatives in an Undivided Cell
Tianyi Zhang1, Yi Wang1,2, Hao Guo1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing100081, China.
Abstract:
Direct electroreductive N-debenzylation of structurally diverse N-benzyl compounds was achieved in an undivided cell using a magnesium anode and carbon-felt cathode. Amines, N-heterocycles, amides, carbamates, ureas, lactams, and cyclic ureas were converted to the corresponding N-H products at room temperature without palladium catalysts or H2. The protocol exhibits broad functional-group tolerance and chemoselectively cleaves benzylic C-N bonds while preserving carbonyl frameworks, enabling late-stage deprotection of densely functionalized bioactive-molecule derivatives.
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