Electrocatalytic carboxylation of 2-amino-5-bromopyridine with CO2 in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyllimidazoliumtetrafluoborate to 6-aminonicotinic acid

A new electrochemical procedure for the electrocatalytic carboxylation of 2-amino-5-bromopyridine with CO₂ in ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyllimidazolium tetrafluoborate (BMIMBF₄), to 6-aminonicotinic acid was investigated for the first time. The experiments were carried out in three electrodes undivided cell under mild conditions, and the use of volatile and toxic solvents and catalysts, as well as any other additional supporting electrolytes, was avoided. The electrochemical reduction behavior of 2-amino-5-bromopyridine in BMIMBF₄ had been studied by cyclic voltammetry with a reduction peak at −1.6 V (vs. Ag). 6-Aminonicotinic acid was obtained in 75% yield and 100% selectivity, under the optimized condition. Moreover, the ionic liquid was successfully recycled.