Stereoselective Cyclopropanation to Homoquinones from Phenacyl Carbenes Obtained through Quinone-Electrogenerated Bases.

A series of new (E) and (Z)-benzoyl-homoquinones have been prepared in good yield by the parent quinone-electrogenerated base (EGB) in the presence of α-bromoacetophenones or α-bromopropiophenone. The EGB, obtained when electrolysis of p-benzoquinone, or 1,4-naphthoquinone, is carried out at the reduction potential of their first voltammetric peak, conducted to electrogenerated phenacyl carbenes after halide evolution on the first obtained bromo-enolates. The stereoselectivity of the [2 + 2]cycloaddition of the carbene to the quinoid substrate is highly dependent on the electrode nature. Reaction mechanism proposal is discussed.