Nickel-catalyzed electrochemical carboxylation of epoxides: mechanistic aspects

The electrochemical incorporation of carbon dioxide into epoxides catalyzed by nickel(II) complexes afforded cyclic carbonates in good yields under very mild conditions (p atm, room temperature). Mechanistic and electrochemical studies revealed the cooperative role of reduced nickel species in the activation of CO2 and the influence of magnesium ions as Lewis acids in the activation of the oxirane ring. Both the presence of nickel catalysts and Mg2+ ions were necessary for the electrocarboxylation of epoxides under mild conditions.