Sustainable and cost-efficient electro-synthesis of formamidine acetate from cyanamide in aqueous acidic electrolyte

Formamidine represents a versatile building block in synthetic organic chemistry. We developed a new electrochemical synthesis of formamidine acetate by cathodic reduction of cyanamide in an aqueous electrolyte and in high yield. The crude product could be used for further conversions, such as to pyrimidines without purification. Compared to established synthetic routes neither prior processing of cyanamide was necessary, nor precious transition-metal catalyst were required, nor any reagent waste was produced, and only biocompatible and sustainable solvents were employed for this process, following the requirements of green chemistry.