Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the electrosynthesis of carboxylic acids of general formula R-COOH in which R is an organic radical by the electrochemical reduction, in the presence of carbon dioxide, of organic compounds corresponding to the general formula R--Y in which R is the above-mentioned organic radical and Y is a hetero atom-containing radical, the hetero atom of the radical Y, chosen from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur andphosphorus, being directly linked to a carbon atom of the radical R by a single covalent linkage. When the hetero atom is nitrogen or phosphorus, the radical Y is an ammonium or phosphonium radical respectively.The anode, which is consumed during the electrosynthesis, is made of a metal chosen from the group consisting of reducing metals and their alloys, preferably made of magnesium, aluminium or zinc.This process without catalyst is very simple to perform and enables a cell with a single compartment to be employed.