Synthesis of α-germyl and α-silylcarboxylic acids and selected electrochemical oxidations

New alpha-germylcarboxylic acids, alpha-silyl-alpha-halocarboxylic and alpha-silyl-alpha-alkylcarboxylic acids including some known alpha-silyl(cycloalkyl)carboxylic acids have been prepared by different synthetic methods. The anodic oxidation in basic methanol of selected examples of these acids has been investigated under various experimental conditions to afford mainly oxidative degermylation/desilylation and decarboxylation products. Based on the emerged products, various mechanisms are suggested and discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.