The electrochemical oxidation of 4-(piperazin-1-yl)phenols have been studied in the presence of indole derivatives as nucleophiles in water/acetonitrile mixture by means of cyclic voltammetry and controlledpotential coulometry. The reaction mechanism is believed to be oxidation of 4-(piperazin-1-yl)phenols, Michael addition reaction, oxidation of the formed adduct, another Michael addition reaction, oxidation of new adduct and hydrolysis (ECECEC). The results revealed that bisindolyl-p-quinones were synthesized through the regioselective addition of indoles to electrochemically generated quinone imines in good yields at carbon electrode in a divided cell.
