Electrochemical Synthesis of 1,1′-Binaphthalene-2,2′-Diamines via Transition-Metal-Free Oxidative Homocoupling

The facile and green synthesis of 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diamine (BINAM) derivatives was established via the anodic dehydrogenative homo-coupling of 2-naphthylamines. The sustainable protocol provided a series of BINAMs in excellent yields of up to 98% with good current efficiency (66%) and H2 as the sole coproduct without utilizing transition-metal reagents or stoichiometric oxidants.