Electrochemical carboxylation of terminal alkynes catalyzed by nickel complexes: unusual regioselectivity

The electrochemical reduction of the nickel (II) complex Ni(bipy)3(BF4)2 yields an active catalyst for the regioselective functionalization of the 2-position of terminal alkynes with carbon dioxide. A series of α-substituted acrylic acids have been obtained with selectivities of 65–90% and fair overall yields.