Electrochemical Oxidative Coupling of 4-Hydroxycinnamic Ester Derivatives: A Convenient Methodology for the Biomimetic Synthesis of Lignin Precursors

Abstract
Based on the electrochemical oxidative coupling of 4-hydroxycinnamic ester derivatives, a straightforward biomimetic synthesis of lignin precursors is reported. This one-pot procedure leads to various naturally occurring coupling products whose distribution depends on aromatic substituents.