Electrochemical-Chemical Synthesis of Methylene bis(Aluminum Dichloride)

The electrochemical‐chemical (EC) synthesis of methylene bis(aluminum dichloride), , involves electrolysis of dichloromethane solutions using an aluminum anode and a passive cathode in an undivided cell. The aluminum anode is consumed during electrolysis. One gram‐atom aluminum is lost per faraday. Suitable electrolytes are , , tetraalkylammonium chlorides, and, in general, salts that are sufficiently soluble in dichloromethane to give conducting solutions. The nature of the reactions and characterization of the products are discussed.