Cathodic coupling of aliphatic esters. Useful reaction for the synthesis of 1,2-diketone and acyloin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)00899-N

It has been found in this study that electroreduction of aliphatic ester (1) with Mg electrode leads to the formation of the corresponding 1,2-diketone under aprotic conditions, whereas bis(trimethylsilyloxy)alkene is afforded through acyloin condensation when the reduction is carried out in the presence of chlorotrimethylsilane.