Electrochemical generation of alkyl and aryl isocyanides

An efficient and widely applicable reagent-free method for the synthesis of alkyl and aryl isocyanides has been established. The electrochemical reduction of alkyl and aryl carbonimidoyl dichlorides under constant cathode potential leads to the corresponding isocyanides in almost quantitative yields. The availability of the starting materials, the mildness of the reaction conditions as well as the easy isolation of products are noteworthy, advantageous features of the procedure. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.