Electrochemical fluorination of dimethyl glutarate and its characterization

Monofluoro dimethyl glutarate has been successfully synthesized for the first time by electrochemical fluorination. It is done in an undivided polypropylene cell with platinum electrodes. Initially at three different current densities, dimethyl glutarate is subjected to electrofluorination. Maximum yield of monofluoro product is obtained at 15 mA cm⁻². Selecting this current density, electrosynthesis is done at three different charges. Maximum yield of 71.5% of the monofluoro product is obtained with a conversion efficiency of 95.2% when the charge of 6 F/mol is passed. The synthesized product is characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The product purity and composition are ascertained using GC/MS. The attachment of fluorine to methylene group is indicated using FTIR data. From NMR studies, the environment of fluorine in the neighborhood of carbon and hydrogen has been established. Results are discussed in the paper.