ELECTROLYTIC OXIDATION OF KETONES IN A METHANOLIC SOLUTION OF NACN INTHE PRESENCE OF CATALYTIC AMOUNTS OF KI

The indirect electrolytic oxidation of ketones (1) in methanolic sodiu m cyanide was studied using iodide ion as a mediator. The product and the reactivity of ketone were dependent on the nature of the alkyl gro ups attached to the carbonyl group. Thus, 2-alkyl and 2,2-dialkyl keto nes afforded the corresponding oxiranecarbonitriles 2 along with small amounts of methyl oxiranecarboximidate 3, whereas acetophenones exclu sively yielded benzoylpropanedinitriles 4.