Degussa Aktiengesellschaft

Christian Reufer

Christoph Weckbecker

Thomas Lehmann

Martin Hateley

Jürgen Bilz

Rainer Sanzenbacher

A process for the preparation of &#x3b1;-substituted carboxylic acids from the series including &#x3b1;-hydroxycarboxylic acids and N-substituted-&#x3b1;-aminocarboxylic acids by cathodic carboxylation with carbon dioxide of a compound corresponding to the general formula R&#x2014;C(&#x2550;X)Rwhich is constituted by aldehydes, ketones or N-substituted imines. In the past, that carboxylation has taken place in an undivided electrolytic cell with the use of a sacrificial anode. As described herein, the carboxylation takes place in the absence of a sacrificial anode in an electrolytic cell divided by a separator, at a diamond film cathode. The anode is formed of a material which is stable under electrolytic conditions; in particular, it is a diamond film electrode. The catholyte includes an organic solvent and a conducting salt.

Process for the preparation of &#x3b1;-substituted carboxylic acids from the series comprising &#x3b1;-hydroxycarboxylic acids and n-substituted-&#x3b1;-aminocarboxylic acids

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Maintal, Germany

Christian Reufer