Divergent Electrochemical Carboamidation of Cyclic Amines

We developed an electrochemical carboamidation sequence that affords either cyclic β-amidoamine products via direct functionalization or linear hydroxybisamide products via a ring opening pathway. The reaction pathway was dependent on the nature of the N-acyl activating group, with carbamate groups favoring direct isocyanide addition to the N-acyliminium ion intermediate and the benzoyl activating group favoring the ring opening–functionalization pathway. Both protocols are one-pot reaction sequences, have general applicability, and lead to peptide-like products of greatly increased molecular complexity.