SYNTHESIS OF CYANOACETIC ACID BY CARBON DIOXIDE AND ELECTROGENERATED ACETONITRILE ANION IN UNDIVIDED CELLS EQUIPPED WITH SACRIFICIAL ANODES
- Authors: SCIALDONE O; MARIA ANTONIETTA SABATINO; ALESSANDRO GALIA; GIUSEPPE FILARDO; GIUSEPPE SILVESTRI
- Publication year: 2008
- Type: Articolo in rivista
- Key words: CHLOROACETONITRILE electrocarboxylation; supporting electrolyte; cyanoacetic acid; sacrificial anodes; carbon dioxide; alkyl ammonium salts; cathodic reduction of alkyl ammonium salts
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/13135
Abstract
The electrochemical synthesis of cyanoacetic acid was performed by cathodic reduction of tetraalkylammonium salts (R4NX) in acetonitrile in undivided cells equipped with sacrificial anodes with concomitant or subsequent addition of carbon dioxide. These syntheses avoid the use of dangerous reagents, yield cyanoacetic acid in moderate faradic yields and confirm that the cathodic reduction of tetraalkylammonium salts in the presence of acetonitrile leads to the formation of the anion CNCH2-.