The Kolbe electrolysis or Kolbe reaction is an organic reaction named after Hermann Kolbe. [1] The Kolbe reaction is formally a decarboxylative dimerisation of two carboxylic acids (or carboxylate ions). The overall reaction is:
If a mixture of two different carboxylates are used, all combinations of them are generally seen as the organic product structures:
The reaction mechanism involves a two-stage radical process: electrochemical decarboxylation gives a radical intermediate, which combine to form a covalent bond. [2] As an example, electrolysis of acetic acid yields ethane and carbon dioxide:
Another example is the synthesis of 2,7-dimethyl-2,7-dinitrooctane from 4-methyl-4-nitrovaleric acid: [3]
The Kolbe reaction has also been occasionally used in cross-coupling reactions.
In 2022, it was discovered that the Kolbe electrolysis is enhanced if an alternating square wave current is used instead of a direct current. [4] [5]
Kolbe electrolysis has a few industrial applications. [6] In one example, sebacic acid has been produced commercially by Kolbe electrolysis of adipic acid. [7]
Kolbe electrolysis has been examined for converting biomass into biodiesel [8] [9] and for grafting of carbon electrodes. [10] [11]