Nickel-catalysed electrochemical carboxylation of allylic acetates and carbonates

The electrochemical carboxylation of a series of allylic acetates and carbonates was carried out in the presence of CO2 under atmospheric pressure, with a catalytic amount of nickel-bipyridine complex, to afford the corresponding β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids. In the absence of nickel catalyst, alcohols were obtained.