Amino acids in electrochemical metal-free benzylic C H amidation

This report describes the mild electrochemical metal-, oxidant-, additive-free site-selective direct C H amidation of benzyl C(sp 3 )-H bonds in an undivided cell using α-amino acids as a source of an amide bond moiety. Practically significant amides are obtained under electrochemical mild one-pot conditions (without strong external oxidants, at room temperature), with total yields up to 73%. This electrochemical approach features a functional selectivity and a broad scope of substrates with benzyl bond and different amino acids.