Electrochemical α–Methoxymethylation and Aminomethylation of Propiophenones Using Methanol as a Green C1 Source

Methanol plays a crucial role in organic synthesis as a green C1 source. Herein, the concise α-methoxymeth- ylation and aminomethylation of propiophenones is achieved via electrochemistry with methanol as both the solvent and reactant. Methanol plays dual roles in this reaction: it is oxidized to formaldehyde (HCHO) and functions as a nucleophile. This protocol was performed under oxidant- and transition metal-free conditions.