Electrocatalysis is regarded as one of the most sustainable and efficient approaches to generate valuable fine chemicals. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an ideal one-carbon (C1) building blocks for commodity chemical synthesis, particularly synthesis of carboxylic acids. We aim to develop electrochemical routes for synthesizing carboxylic acids with the usage of CO2. Currently, we have developed a direct electrochemical carboxylation of benzylic C-N bonds with CO2. Unlike traditional electrochemical carboxylation of CO2, our methodology does not need sacrificial anode. In addition, this novel electrochemical carboxylation has advantages as follow: 1) renewable C1 synthon; 2) no mediator; 3) no column chromatography needed for purification; 4) high functional group tolerance. Our procedure not only can be used to generate primary benzylic carboxylic acids, but also could be extended to produce secondary benzyl carboxylic acids. Besides, this strategy also possesses the possibility of electrochemical synthesis of phenyl and aliphatic carboxylic acids. Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) was used to elucidate the mechanism of the reaction.

Direct electrochemical carboxylation of benzylic C-N bonds with carbon dioxide

2019 Spring National Meeting

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