Electrochemical Carboxylation of Styrene

The electrocarboxylation of styrene to phenylsuccinic acid and 3‐phenylpropionic acid has been realized in a diaphragmless cell, with aluminum sacrificial anodes. Yields of up to 85% of the dicarboxylic derivative have been obtained in anhydrous DMF, whereas different amounts of the monocarboxylic derivative are formed, depending upon the proticity of the medium. The effect of the nature of the proton donors and of the cathodic material has been considered and the electrocarboxylation mechanism discussed.