Mechanistic study of electrochemical oxidation of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde in the presence of 3-hydroxy-1H-phenalene-1-one.

The mechanism of the electrochemical oxidation of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde in the presence of 3-hydroxy-1H-phenalene-1-one as a nucleophile has been studied in water/acetonitrile (80/20 v/v) solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry methods. The results indicate that the quinones derived from oxidation of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde participate in Michael addition reactions with 3-hydroxy-1H-phenalene-1-one and via ECE and ECEC mechanisms convert to the different products, with good yield under controlled potential conditions, at carbon electrode.