Asymmetric electrocarboxylation of 1-phenylethyl chloride catalyzed by electrogenerated chiral [COI(salen)]- complex

The feasibility of asymmetric electrocarboxylation of 1-phenylethyl chloride catalyzed by the electrogenerated chiral [Co-I(salen)](-) complex has been investigated for the first time. Using this system, optically active 2-phenylpropionic acid in 37% yield and 83% ee is synthesized from 1-phenylethyl chloride and CO2. The electrochemical behavior of the catalyst and the optimization of synthesis conditions are discussed. This study provides a new procedure for the asymmetric synthesis of a chiral compound and expands the applications of chiral Co-II(salen) in the electrochemical asymmetric fixation of CO2. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.