ELECTROCHEMICAL N-ALKYLATION OF CARBAZOLE AND PHENOTHIAZINES

We describe a new electrochemical method of N-alkylation of heterocycl ic nitrogen compounds. The reaction was applied to carbazole, phenothi azine, and 2-chlorophenothiazine with alkyl halides and alpha-halogeno esters. The synthesis involves a ''one-pot'' two-step procedure. The e lectrolysis, in an undivided cell fitted with a sacrificial magnesium anode, first generates the amide anion of the heterocyclic molecule. A ddition of the alkylating reagent then yields the substituted product.