ELECTROCHEMICAL OXIDATION OF MALONIC ESTERS IN ACETONITRILE IN THE PRESENCE OF IODIDES AS MEDIATORS

Electrochemical oxidation of malonic esters in acetonitrile in the pre sence of iodides follows two different pathways depending on the natur e of the cation. In the presence of LiI, alkyl 1,1,2,2,3,3-propanetetr acarboxylates were obtained in 85-98% yields. In the presence of Nat, KI, or Bu4NI, the formation of 1,1,2,2-ethanetetracarboxylates and the ir subsequent dehydrogenation to ethenetetracarboxylates was the main reaction pathway.