Kolbe electrolysis
The Kolbe electrolysis or Kolbe reaction is an
carboxylate ions
). The overall reaction is:
If a mixture of two different carboxylates are used, all combinations of them are generally seen as the organic product structures:
- 3 R1COO− + 3 R2COO− → R1−R1 + R1−R2 + R2−R2 + 6 CO2 + 6 e−
The
electrochemical decarboxylation gives a radical intermediate, which combine to form a covalent bond.[2] As an example, electrolysis of acetic acid yields ethane and carbon dioxide
:
- CH3COOH → CH3COO− → CH3COO· → CH3· + CO2
- 2CH3· → CH3CH3
Another example is the synthesis of 2,7-dimethyl-2,7-dinitrooctane from 4-methyl-4-nitrovaleric acid:[3]
See also
References
- .
- .
- ^ Sharkey, W. H.; Langkammerer, C. M. (1973). "2,7-Dimethyl-2,7-dinitrooctane". Organic Syntheses; Collected Volumes, vol. 5, p. 445.
Further reading
- .
- .
External links
- "Kolbe Electrolysis". Organic Chemistry Portal. Retrieved 22 October 2007.
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