Kolbe electrolytic decarboxylation (dimerization) (Two carboxylate radicals decarboxylate and couple at anode → R–R (symmetrical alkane))
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Two carboxylate radicals decarboxylate and couple at anode → R–R (symmetrical alkane)
What each symbol means
| Symbol | What it stands for |
|---|---|
| R | Alkyl group (even works for some simple alkyl chains in JEE drills) |
| RCOO⁻ | Carboxylate salt (usually Na/K salt) |
When to use this
Electrolysis of concentrated sodium carboxylate; anodic oxidation; decarboxylation loses CO₂; radical coupling gives alkane with one more C–C bond symmetry.