Electron transfer in the cathodic reduction of α-dicarbonyl compounds

Electron transfer processes take place during the cathodic reduction, under an argon atmosphere, of different α-dicarbonyl substrates. Carboxylic acids or methylene diesters are obtained from benzil or furil after electron transfer to the oxygen in the air, during the workup, or after electron transfer to the solvent. Involving an electron transfer to dichloromethane, 2-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-2H-acenaphtylen-1-one or benzo[1,3]dioxin-8-one are formed when acenaphthenequinone or 1,2-cyclohexanedione are, respectively, reduced.