Electrolytic Reductive Coupling

Abstract

Electrolytic hydrodimerization of a variety of derivatives of α, β‐unsaturated acids is reported, e.g., methacrylonitrile, cinnamonitrile, ethyl acrylate, ethyl maleate, di‐2‐ethylhexyl fumarate, N, N‐diethylacrylamide, acrylamide. The double bond may be endocyclic, as in 1‐cyano‐1‐cyclopentene. The relationship of structure to hydrodimerizability is discussed. Evidences of stereo‐preference in electrolytic hydrodimerization are presented.