Electrochemical Carboxylation of Aliphatic Ketones: Synthesis of β-Keto Carboxylic Acids

Abstract

A constant current electrolysis of saturated aliphatic ketones in a CH₃CN or DMF solution containing 0.1 mol dm⁻³ Bu₄NBF₄ with a platinum cathode and a magnesium anode under an atmospheric pressure of CO₂ resulted in an efficient fixation of CO₂ at α-position of carbonyl group in the ketones to give the corresponding β-keto carboxylic acids in moderate to good yields.