Electrochemical reduction and carboxylation of ethyl cinnamate in MeCN

The electrochemical reduction and carboxylation of ethyl cinnamate have been carried out in an undivided cell equipped with a Mg sacrificial anode using MeCN as solvent. Direct electroreduction led to the formation of the hydrodimers and saturated ester. And electrocarboxylation was carried out in the presence of CO2. The global yield and the ratio of mono- to dicarboxylic acids were strongly affected by various factors: electrode material, electrolysis potential, the substrate concentration and temperature. The high yield (78%) was obtained under an optimized reaction condition (cathode: Ni; electrolysis potential: -1.7 V; substrate concentration: 0.1 mol.L-1; and temperature: -10 degrees C).