Electrochemical Cross-Coupling of Alkyl Halides in the Presence of a Sacrificial Anode

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00255a011

The electrochemical trichloromethylation of various alkyl halides has been obtained in high yields in an undivided cell in the presence of a sacrificial anode.This cross-coupling process has been extended to the preparation of numerous gem-dichloro compounds from trichloro-substituted methanes and alkyl halides.Zinc,magnesium or aluminium were used as anodes according to the reduction potentiel of the reagents.Mixtures of polar aprotic solvents,e.g.THF-TMU or THF-NMP, were found more appropriate than pure solvents.The critical role of the metallic ions from the consumption of the anode has been clearly evidenced.