Indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic ketones: Influence of ring size, mediator and supporting electrolyte on the result of the reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(97)00114-2

The result of the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic ketones in methanol in an undivided cell in the presence of sodium halides depends on the ring size of ketone and the type of mediator. Selectivity of the reaction in some cases and current efficiency are increased by addition of supporting electrolyte - sodium hydroxide. Formation of cyclic 2,2-dimethoxycycloalkanols and the electrochemically induced Favorskii rearrangement with the formation of methyl cycloalkencarboxylates containing in the ring one carbon atom less than starting ketone are the main ways of the indirect electrochemical oxidation of cyclic ketones.