Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the electrosynthesis of a beta,gamma-unsaturated ester by electrolysis, in a cell having only a single compartment, of a mixture of an alpha,beta-unsaturated halide and an alpha-halogenated ester in the presence of an amount which is less than the stoichiometric amount for the reaction between the halide and the ester of a catalyst based on nickel complexed with a binitrogenous bidentate organic ligand.The anode, which is consumed by the electrochemical reaction of which it is the center, is made of a metal chosen from the group comprising the reducing metals and their alloys and is preferably made of zinc, aluminum or magnesium.This process, which is simple and economical, in particular permits the synthesis of arylacetates and arylpropionates, which are intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceutical or plant protection products.

Abstract: The process for the electrosynthesis of an aldehyde, according to the invention, is carried out by electrolysis, in a cell comprising only a single compartment, of an organic halide and of an N,N-disubstituted formamide such as dimethylformamide, followed by hydrolysis of the reaction mixture.The anode is made of a metal chosen from the group consisting of the reducing metals and their alloys, preferably zinc, aluminum or magnesium.The cathode, which is inert, is preferably covered with an electrolytic deposit of zinc, cadmium, lead or tin.Aldehydes are compounds which are commonly employed in many fields of the chemical industry, especially in perfumery, agricultural chemistry and pharmacy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the electrosynthesis of alcohols and epoxy compounds by electrochemical reduction of organic halides in the presence of carbonyl derivatives in an organic solvent medium containing a supporting electrolyte. The organic halides contain an atom or a functional group which stabilizes carbon-ions, preferably fixed to the carbon carrying the halogen. The anode is made of a reducing metal preferably chosen from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron and their alloys. This process has the advantage of being simple, readily convertible to an industrial scale, especially as a result of the possibility of using a single-compartment cell and low-toxicity solvents. It can be applied to the electrosynthesis of numerous alcohols.