Performances of homogeneous charge transfer catalysts in the electrocarboxylation of benzyl halides

The electrocarboxylation of benzyl halides to the corresponding carboxylic acids performed by homogeneous charge transfer catalysts is reported here. The performances of selected ester derivatives of benzoic acid and of the t hree isomers of benzenedicarboxylic acid as catalysts are evaluated on the basis of the faradaic efficiency of the carboxylation and of the decomposit ion rate of the catalyst. The standard redox potentials of catalysts are re lated to the selectivity of the process. Rates of catalyst decomposition ap pear to be dependent on the molar ratio [halide]/[catalyst] and on the cath ode material.