ABSTRACT
The coupling reaction of alkyl radicals provided by electrodecarboxylation of alkanoates R-CO2− gives the Kolbe dimer R-R (Equation 33.1).
(33.1)
ThoughtheKolbereactionsoundshistoricalinelectroorganicchemistry,itisstillaliveasanimportantsynthetictoolintoday’sorganicsynthesis.SincethediscoveryoftheKolbereaction[1],avast numberofinvestigationshavebeencarriedouttounveilthefeaturesofitssyntheticpotentiality. ThešrstšndingoftheversatilitybyWurtz[2]isthattheelectrolysisoftwodifferentcarboxylates R1-CO2− and R2-CO2− gives the mixed dimer R1-R2 together with two possible symmetrical dimers R1-R1 and R2-R2 (Equation 33.2).
