Electrochemical functionalization of 1,3-diisopropylbenzene.

The anodic oxidation of 1,3-diisopropylbenzene in methanol gave exclusively the desired dimethoxy-functionalized product in excellent yield when potassium bromate was utilized as supporting electrolyte. Similar electrochemical conversions in other alcoholic solvents were not successful based on the low conductivity of the mixture. The introduction of other alcohols could then be realized when the dimethoxy derivative was converted under S(N)1 conditions in alcohols used as solvent. Thereby, higher alcohols could be introduced in moderate yields and acceptable selectivities.