The anodic decarboxylation reaction is a general reaction that can be applied with success to several suitable precursors. This work presents the electrochemical synthesis of allene by anodic oxidation of potassium itaconate. It is also shown that the anodic oxidation of potassium citraconate produces propyne. In both cases, unsaturated hydrocarbons were formed together with CO and CO2.
The electrooxidation of potassium crotonate leads to a simultaneous formation of propyne and allene (the latter in considerably smaller amounts than the former). Also in this case, formation of the unsaturated hydrocarbons is accompanied by the formation of CO and CO2
