Electrocarboxylation of activated olefins in ionic liquid BMIMBF4

The feasibility of electrocarboxylation of activated olefins has been investigated in CO2-saturated room-temperature ionic liquid BMIMBF4 solution for the first time. The electrochemical behavior has been studied on GC electrode by cyclic voltammetry, showing a diffusion controlled irreversible reduction process. The synthesis has been carried out under mild (PCO2PCO2 = 1 atm, t = 50 °C) and safe conditions in undivided cell, and the use of volatile and toxic solvents and catalysts, as well as of any supporting electrolyte, was avoided. Monocarboxylic acids were obtained in moderate yield (35–55%). Furthermore, the ionic liquid has been recycled for five times, which did not affect the product yield greatly.