Electrochemistry has emerged as a powerful tool for the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Among amines, aryl piperazines are of particular interest for the synthesis of biologically active substances since this moiety is commonly found as a key structural element in many compounds possessing broad therapeutic activities [1]. piperazine and its derivatives especially phenylpiperazines are important pharmacores that can be found in biologically active compounds across a number of different therapeutic areas, such as antifungal, anti-bacterial, antimalarial, anti-psychotic agents and HIV protease inhibitor [2]. In this research the electrochemical oxidation of 1-(4-(4-hydroxyphenyl) piperazin-1-yl) ethanone has been studied in the presence of acetylacetone as nucleophile using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry methods. The results revealed that quinone-imine derived from oxidation of 1-(4-(4- hydroxyphenyl) piperazin-1-yl) ethanone participates in Michael type addition reaction with acetylacetone and converts to the corresponding new phenylpiperazine derivative.
