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°C).