Nickel-catalyzed electrochemical carboxylation of epoxides: mechanistic aspects

The electrochemical incorporation of carbon dioxide into epoxides catalyzed by nickel(II) complexes afforded cyclic carbonates in good yields under ve ry mild conditions (p(co2)=1 atm, room temperature). Mechanistic and electr ochemical studies revealed the cooperative role of reduced nickel species i n the activation of CO2 and the influence of magnesium ions as Lewis acids in the activation of the oxirane ring. Both the presence of nickel catalyst s and Mg2+ ions were necessary for the electrocarboxylation of epoxides und er mild conditions. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.