The reduction of substituted benzylamines by means of electrochemically generated solvated electrons in LiCl + methylamine

Methoxy-substituted and N-methylated benzylamines were reduced to their 1,4-dihydro derivs. using the electrochem. Benkeser redn. N,N-dimethylveratrylamine decompd. during the redn. The differences in current efficiencies can be explained by differences in the stabilization of the radical anions and by differences in protonation rates. Rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) expts. showed that in the redn. of benzylamines, the 1st protonation can be achieved either intramolecularly or intermolecularly. [on SciFinder (R)]