Electrosynthesis of 4-iodopyrazole and its derivatives

Electrosynthesis of 4-iodo-substituted pyrazoles has been accomplished by iodination of the corresponding precursors on a Pt-anode in aqueous solutions of KI under conditions of the diaphragm galvanostatic electrolysis. Efficiency of the process depends on the donor-acceptor properties of substituents and their positions in the pyrazole ring. Thus, iodination of pyrazole, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, 3-nitropyrazole, 1-methylpyrazole, 1,3-dimethylpyrazole, pyrazole-3(5)-carboxylic acid or methyl esters furnished 4-iodo derivatives in 57, 86, 2, 5, 35, 30, and 40% yields, respectively.