Electrochemical ring-opening carboxylation of cyclic carbonate with carbon dioxide.

Electroreductive ring-opening carboxylation of styrene carbonates with CO 2 to achieve dicarboxylic acids and/or β -hydroxy acids has been developed via the selective cleavage of the C(sp 3 )-O bond in cyclic carbonates. The product selectivity is probably determined by the stability and reactivity of the key benzylic radical and carbanion intermediate.