Electroorganie Synthesis, 55[1]. Influences on the Selectivity of the Kolbe versus the Non‐Kolbe Electrolysis in the Anodic Decarboxylation of Carboxylic Acids

Abstract The anodic decarboxylation of 3‐oxanonanoic acid ( 2a ) and 3‐oxapentadecanoic acid ( 2b ) in methanol leads exclusively to products of the non‐Kolbe electrolysis. The influence of co‐electrolysis, solvent, current density, degree of neutralization and chain length of the alkoxy group on the anodic decarboxylation of 2a, b have been investigated. An extended alkyl chain in the alkoxy group, coelectrolysis with long‐chain fatty acids, ethanol or dimethylformamide as solvent, and a high current density favor the Kolbe coupling against the non‐Kolbe electrolysis.