An electrochemical monocarboxylation of aryl alkynes with carbon dioxide to prepare
acrylic acids and propionic acids has been developed. In a three-electrode electrochemical
system, the reaction proceeds smoothly at a constant current in acetonitrile, which
contains tetrabutylammonium bromide, and gives monocarboxylic acid products with up
to 72% overall isolated yield. The system is applicable to terminal and internal aryl
alkynes, exhibiting good functional group tolerance. This method may open up a window
for the application of the electrochemical strategy in the synthesis of monocarboxylic
acids from unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Keywords
Electrochemistry - Aryl alkynes - Reductive monocarboxylation - Carbon dioxide - Organic
synthesis
