One-pot electrochemical synthesis of acid anhydrides from alcohols

Abstract

One-pot indirect electrochemical oxidation of alcohols in the methylene chloride–aqueous solution of sodium hydrocarbonate two-phase system in the presence of potassium iodide, 4-acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, and 2,6-lutidine results in the formation of the corresponding acid anhydrides with yield up to 80%. The reaction occurs at room temperature and is complete after passing 6 F/mol of electricity.