Process for preparing alcohols by electrochemical reductive coupling

摘要

Alcohols are prepared by electrochemical reductive coupling of an aromatic vinyl compound and a carbonyl compound in a process which comprises electrolyzing an electrolyte solution in an electrochemical cell, the electrolyte solution comprising the aromatic vinyl compound, the carbonyl compound and a non-aqueous protic solvent, such as methanol, wherein the electrolyte solution is in contact with a carbon-based cathode. Styrene is reacted with acetone to prepare 2-methyl-4-phenyl-2-butanol.