Electro reduction of aliphatic esters using new paired electrolysis systems

Electroreduction of aliphatic esters to form 2-alkoxytetrahydrofurans was a chieved by using a new paired electrolysis system, that consists of the cat hodic reduction of aliphatic esters and the anodic oxidation of the solvent (THF). It was also found that the presence of magnesium ion in the electro lyte promoted the electroreduction of aliphatic esters remarkably. In fact, the electroreduction of aliphatic esters was found to proceed toward 2-alk oxytetrahydrofurans by using a platinum cathode and anode in the presence o f anodically dissolved magnesium ions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.