THE REDUCTION OF SUBSTITUTED BENZYLAMINES BY MEANS OF ELECTROCHEMICALLY GENERATED SOLVATED ELECTRONS IN LICL PLUS METHYLAMINE

Methoxy-substituted and N-methylated benzylamines were reduced to thei r 1,4-dihydro derivatives using the electrochemical Benkeser reduction . N,N-dimethyl-veratrylamine decomposed during the reduction. The diff erences in current efficiencies can be explained by differences in the stabilization of the radical anions and by differences in protonation rates. Rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) experiments showed that in the reduction of benzylamines, the first protonation can be achieved either intramolecularly or intermolecularly.