Hunsdiecker reaction

Mechanism

The silver salt is reacted with a halogen, wherein the silver halide is removed and hypohalite produced. The halogen -oxygen compound is homolytically cleaved in a halogen radical and a carboxyl radical. which, after release of CO2 continues to react with a free radical - halogen for halogen hydrocarbon. Through the elimination of CO 2 ( decarboxylation), the molecule shortened by one carbon atom. Carbon tetrachloride is often used as the solvent. A number of reaction steps proceed according to a free radical mechanism. It is thus similar in their mechanism of Kolbe electrolysis. In principle, both aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids can be used.