CO2 anion–radical in organic carboxylations

This letter shows a first approximation to the use of CO2 anion–radical in the obtention of α-methyl and α-ethylcyanoacetic acids from propionitrile and butyronitrile, respectively, through a paired electrochemical reaction with CO2. The electrosynthesis of α-chloro-phenylacetic acid from benzyl chloride and phenylacetic acid from toluene by another proposed pathway is also discussed.