Electroreduction of primary nitramines on platinum in MeCN

Reduction of primary nitramines RNHNO2 (R = Me, Et, Pr-i, alpha-pyridyl) in anhydrous MeCN at a Pt cathode was studied by voltammetry and electrolysis . The process includes one-electron transfer and nitramine deprotonation to give the corresponding anions. The products of N-alkylation of these anion s can be obtained only when their potassium salts are used (but not tetrabu tylammonium salts). This is due to the effects of ion association, which in fluence the dual reactivity of the anions under investigation.