Asymmetric electrocarboxylation of 1-phenylethyl chloride catalyzed by electrogenerated chiral [CoI(salen)]− complex

•Electrogenerated chiral [CoI(salen)]− achieves asymmetric electrocarboxylation of a racemic organic halide.•Application of chiral CoII(salen) in electrochemical asymmetric fixation of CO2 has been developed.•Applications of asymmetric synthesis by electrochemical methodology has been expanded.

The feasibility of asymmetric electrocarboxylation of 1-phenylethyl chloride catalyzed by the electrogenerated chiral [CoI(salen)]− complex has been investigated for the first time. Using this system, optically active 2-phenylpropionic acid in 37% yield and 83% ee is synthesized from 1-phenylethyl chloride and CO2. The electrochemical behavior of the catalyst and the optimization of synthesis conditions are discussed. This study provides a new procedure for the asymmetric synthesis of a chiral compound and expands the applications of chiral CoII(salen) in the electrochemical asymmetric fixation of CO2.

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