Electrochemical oxidation of malonic esters in acetonitrile in the presence of iodides as mediators

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/BF02495426

Electrochemical oxidation of malonic esters in acetonitrile in the presence of iodides follows two different pathways depending on the nature of the cation. In the presence of LiI, alkyl 1,1,2,2,3,3-propanetetracarboxylates were obtained in 85-98% yields. In the presence of NaI, KI, or Bu₄NI, the formation of 1,1,2,2-ethanetetracarboxylates and their subsequent dehydrogenation to ethenetetracarboxylates was the main reaction pathway.