A Facile One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydroisoquinoline‐1‐carbonitriles via the Electrogenerated Cyanide Anions from Acetonitrile

Abstract The electrosynthesis of 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐1‐carbonitriles by acetonitrile reduction is a green and safe strategy to replace the traditional cyanation. Herein, we have obtained the 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline‐1‐carbonitrile in good yields by a simple reaction between dihydroisoquinolin‐2‐ium iodide and the electrogenerated acetonitrile formed under low temperature conditions, when a solution of dry acetonitrile is electrolyzed at a Carbon rod as cathode and a magnesium plate as anode in undivided cell.