Synthetic Application of Homogeneous Charge Transfer Catalysis in the Electrocarboxylation of Benzyl Halides

The results of an investigation on the performances of some outer sphere electron transfer homogeneous catalysts in the electrocarboxylation of 1-(p-isobutyl-phenyl)-1-chloroethane to 2-(p-isobutyl-phenyl)-propionic acid (Ibuprofen), using as catalysts the esters of benzoic and o-, m-, and p-phtalic acids, are reported. The performances of the catalysts are evaluated on the basis of the following parameters: faradic yields of the carboxylation and decomposition of the catalyst. The performances of dimethylisophtalate have been examined in greater detail. The rate of decomposition of the catalyst is related to the molar ratio [halide]/[catalyst].