Electrochemical Synthesis of Itaconic Acid Derivatives via Chemodivergent Single and Double Carboxylation of Allenes with CO.

Leveraging electrochemistry, a new synthesis of non-natural derivatives of itaconic acid is proposed by utilizing carbon dioxide (CO) as a valuable C1 synthon. An electrochemical cross-electrophile coupling between allenoates and CO was targeted, allowing for the synthesis of both mono- and di-carboxylation products in a catalyst- and additive-free environment (yields up to 87 %, 30 examples). Elaboration of the model mono-carboxylation product, and detailed cyclovoltammetric, as well as mechanistic analyses complete the present investigation.