Electrooxidation of malonate and acetylacetate derivatives in the presence of halide ions

beta-Dicarbonyl compounds, such as dimethyl malonate derivatives and methyl acetoacetate derivatives, were electrooxidized in methanol in the presence of halogen ions to afford the corresponding dimethyl alpha-halomalonates and methyl alpha-halocarboxylates. Electrooxidation of bis(beta-dimethoxycarbonyl) derivatives similarly afforded cyclic compounds and dihalides.