ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOUR OF HYDRAZONATES IN PROTIC AND APROTIC MEDIUM

Cathodic reduction of several hydrazonates of a typical structure (Scheme 1) has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis at mercury electrode in aprotic solvent. Quantitative results for preparative electrolysis run in the presence of a protic donor show the occurrence of reductive cleavage of the median N–N bond leading to the formation of imines and iminoethers in good yields.