ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF ALPHA-NITROBENZYLIC COMPOUNDS INTO THE CORRESPONDING OXIMES .1. ELECTROANALYTICAL INVESTIGATIONS

Analytical investigations on the electroreduction of alpha-nitrobenzylic compounds show partial formation of the corresponding oximes at the mercury cathode when experiments are carried out in a mixture of ethanol and aqueous acetic buffer. These results are confirmed by controlled potential coulometry: the yield of oxime can reach 50% at -5-degrees-C. Simultaneous formation of benzyl-hydroxylamines occurs; the latter can be oxidized into oximes but they are unstable in the electrolytic medium leading besides an unidentified product to a reducible nitrone.