Electrocatalytic Carboxylation of Benzoyl Bromide with CO2 in Ionic Liquid 1-Butyl-3-Methyllimidazoliumtetrafluoborate to Methyl phenyl glyoxylate

A new electrochemical procedure for the electrocatalytic carboxylation of benzoyl bromide with CO2 in ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyllimidazolium tetrafluoborate (BMIMBF4), to methyl phenyl glyoxylate was investigated. The experiments were carried out in three electrodes undivided cell under mild conditions and the use of volatile and toxic solvents and catalysts, as well as any other additional supporting electrolytes, was avoided. The electrochemical reduction behavior of benzoyl bromide in BMIMBF4 had been studied by cyclic voltammetry with a reduction peak at -1.6 V (vs. Ag). Methyl phenyl glyoxylate was obtained by typical electrolytic procedure.