Electrochemical Hydroxylation of α‐Bromoacetophenones: Access to α‐Hydroxyacetophenones

Herein, a new method has been developed for the synthesis of various α‐hydroxyacetophenones via an electro‐oxidation process. It involves electrocatalytic hydroxylation via debromination of C(sp3)−Br bond. Here, simultaneous breaking of carbon‐bromine (C−Br) bond and formation of a new carbon‐oxygen (C−O) bond has been achieved through electrolysis of H2O using binary mixture of water and DMSO. The protocol features easy performance, oxidant and base‐free mild conditions and short reaction time.